Daily Current Affairs – 16-07-2025
Reports and Indices
Best Cities for Students: Chennai Ranks 128th
Chennai has advanced 12 places to secure the 128th position in the list of best cities for students wishing to study abroad.
In this regard, according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global higher education analytics firm based in London, the capital of Britain, Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has secured the first place.
London, which was in the first place for 6 consecutive years in this list, has dropped to third place.
In this list, Mumbai has moved up 15 places to 98th, Delhi 7 places to 104th, and Bengaluru 22 places to 108th.
Chennai has moved up 12 places to 128th.
Top 5 Cities for Students Wishing to Study Abroad (QS Ranking) Rank City 1 Seoul (South Korea) 2 Tokyo (Japan) 3 London (Britain) 4 Munich (Germany) 5 Melbourne (Australia)
National News
South Asia achieves record immunization coverage
India reduced its number of zero-dose children — those who have not received a single vaccine — by 43%, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024
South Asia has achieved its highest-ever immunization coverage for children, with notable progress in India and Nepal, according to new data released on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF for 2024.
India reduced its number of zero-dose children — those who have not received a single vaccine — by 43%, from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024. Nepal achieved a 52% reduction, from 23,000 to 11,000, a WHO statement said.
Pakistan also recorded its highest-ever DTP3 (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis) coverage at 87%. However, Afghanistan continued to struggle, with the lowest coverage in the region and a one percentage point decline since last year, it added.
In 2024, 92% of infants in South Asia received the third dose of the DTP vaccine — a crucial global indicator — up two percentage points from 2023. The first-dose DTP coverage rose from 93 to 95%, showing a strong recovery beyond pre-COVID levels.
Tamil Nadu government introduces ‘Nagam’ app to catch snakes
In a move to address human-snake conflict, the Tamil Nadu government has introduced a new mobile application called ‘Nagam’ for catching snakes that enter homes and offices.
The app was launched by the state’s Forest Secretary, Supriya Sahu, at an event in Chennai on the occasion of World Snake Day.
This initiative follows a similar app launched by the Kerala government in August 2020, named ‘Sarpa’.
The ‘Sarpa’ app has been credited with a significant reduction in snakebite-related fatalities in Kerala over the past five years. In 2019, the state recorded 123 deaths from snakebites, a number that has fallen to 34 in the fiscal year 2023-2024.
The ‘Sarpa’ app has been downloaded by over 34,700 users.
Sports News
2nd Lowest Score - West Indies
The 27 runs scored by the West Indies in this last Test is the 2nd lowest score recorded in a Test innings in the history of Test cricket.
Previously, in 1955, New Zealand’s dismissal for 26 runs in their 2nd innings against England remains the worst record to date.
Asian Surfing Championship to begin on August 3 in Mamallapuram
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced that the Asian Surfing Championship will begin on August 3 in Mamallapuram.
The Asian Surfing Federation, the Surfing Federation of India, and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu will jointly organize the surfing competition in Mamallapuram from August 3 to 12.
Athletes from 20 Asian countries will participate.
Furthermore, athletes participating in this series will also compete for qualification spots in the 2026 Asian Games.