Daily Current Affairs and GK | 7 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. World Athletics Day: 07 May

• World Athletics Day is observed annually on May 7 to promote the importance of physical fitness.
• World Athletics Day is celebrated globally in May to raise awareness among children and young people about fitness and encourage participation in sports, especially athletics.
• The day was first introduced in 1996 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), now known as World Athletics.
• The first World Athletics Day took place in 1996, launched by Primo Nebiolo.
• On World Athletics Day, both the IAAF and World Athletics organize sporting events.
• In 2001, the IAAF changed its name to the International Association of Athletics Federations.
• In 2019, the name was further changed to World Athletics.
• World Athletics was founded in 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden, and is headquartered in Monaco.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

2. India and Japan reaffirmed strategic defense relations.

• On 5 May, a bilateral defence meeting was held between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese counterpart General Nakatani in New Delhi.
• Both leaders condemned all forms of terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to the Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
• The need for stronger maritime cooperation and expansion of joint military exercises was mutually agreed upon.
• Their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and contributing to regional peace was reaffirmed.
• The scope and complexity of defence exercises and maritime cooperation between India and Japan were agreed to be enhanced.
• Mr Singh underlined the potential of the Indian defence industry, especially its ability to cooperate with the Japanese side in new areas including tank engines and aero engines.
• Both sides agreed to enhance industry cooperation, focusing on niche domains like automation, AI, and emerging areas such as Cyber and Space.
• India and Japan have a long-term friendship that has gained qualitative momentum since their collaboration was elevated to a Special Strategic and Global Partnership in 2014.

Topic: National News

3. ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’ launched by the Indian Armed Forces on nine terror targets in Pakistan.

• ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’ was launched by the Indian Armed Forces after midnight on 7 May, and terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir was targeted, from where attacks against India were being planned and directed.
• According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence, a total of nine sites were struck during the operation.
• The terror camps targeted are linked to various banned organisations, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed and Hizbul Mujahideen.
• The Ministry stated that the action taken was focused, measured and non-incremental in nature.
• It was further clarified that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted in the course of the operation.
• The Defense Ministry emphasized that considerable restraint had been exercised by India in choosing both the targets and the methods of execution.
• These actions were undertaken in response to the barbaric terrorist attack in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

4. Civil Defence Mock Drill conducted in 244 Districts on 7 May.

• States had been directed by the Centre to organize mock drills on 7 May for assessing civil defence preparedness nationwide.
• The Civil Defence Exercise and Rehearsal has been scheduled across 244 categorized Civil Defence Districts in the country.
• It is planned to organize this exercise up to the village level.
• The primary aim of the exercise is to evaluate operational coordination and the effectiveness of various civil defence measures.
• During the drill, air raid warning systems, operation of hotlines or radio communication links with the Indian Air Force, as well as testing the functionality of control rooms, etc., are being evaluated.
• Training will be imparted to civilians and students to equip them with civil defence knowledge for hostile attack situations.
• The exercise includes blackout measures, early camouflaging of key installations, and evacuation plan rehearsals, with NCC cadets across the country actively participating.
• The objective of the exercise is to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defense mechanisms in all states and union territories.

Topic: International Appointments

5. Friedrich Merz elected the new German Chancellor.

• On 6 May, Friedrich Merz, Germany’s conservative leader, has been elected as the country’s new chancellor following a majority in the second round of Lower House voting.
• Out of 630 lawmakers, 325 voted in favour of Mr Merz in the second round, helping him cross the required threshold of 316 votes.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Mr Merz on assuming office as Federal Chancellor of Germany.
• In the first round, only 310 members had voted for Mr. Merz, which was seen as a significant blow to his prestige.
• It marked the first time since 1949 that a chancellor candidate was not elected on the first attempt.
• Germany:
  • It is a country in Central Europe known for its strong economy and influential role in the European Union.
  • Its capital is Berlin and its currency is the Euro.
  • It is the most populous country in the European Union.
  • The head of government is the Chancellor, and the current Chancellor is Friedrich Merz.
  • The head of state is the President, and the current President is Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: Awards and Prizes

6. The 2025 Pulitzer Prizes awarded to novelist Percival Everett and playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.

• The Pulitzer Prize is given for achievements in the fields of newspaper, magazine, and online journalism, literature, and musical composition.
• It was started in the name of Joseph Pulitzer in 1917.
• It is given in twenty-one categories, and each winner receives a certificate and a US$15,000 cash award.
• The winners of the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes are given below.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. India and the United Kingdom have finalized a landmark Free Trade Agreement.

• They have also signed a Double Contribution Convention.
• Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer discussed the agreements over a phone call.
• They expressed satisfaction over the successful conclusion of the Free Trade Agreement.
• Modi said the deals will strengthen the India-UK Strategic Partnership.
• Both leaders agreed the agreements will open up new business opportunities.
• Minister Piyush Goyal praised the agreements as a new model for fair and ambitious trade.
• India will benefit from the removal of tariffs on around 99% of goods.
• Sectors like textiles, leather, footwear, toys, gems, jewellery, and engineering will see export growth.
• Indian products will become more competitive in the UK and other markets.
• The agreements will also support the joint development of goods and services for global markets.
• The Double Contribution Convention was announced alongside the finalization of the Free Trade Agreement between India and the UK.
• Both nations declared the completion of talks for a bilateral social security arrangement.
• This agreement aims to exempt Indian professionals temporarily employed in the UK from making double contribution to social security funds.

Topic: Reports and Indices

8. The UNDP’s latest Human Development Index report shows that global development progress slowed significantly in 2024.

• After a brief rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2023, improvements in income and life expectancy have stalled.
• Conflicts are becoming more frequent and severe around the world.
• UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner warned that this slowdown could reverse many years of human development.
• He noted that cuts to international aid are making the situation worse.
• These reductions are led by the United States under President Donald Trump.
• The report highlights a growing threat of global instability and division.
• It also warns of increased vulnerability to economic shocks and environmental crises.
• India is ranked 130th on the UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Index.
• Its HDI score increased from 0.676 in 2022 to 0.685 in 2023.
• This places India closer to the high human development threshold of 0.700.
• The country remains in the medium human development category.
• India’s HDI has grown by more than 53% since 1990.
• This growth rate is higher than both the global and South Asian averages.
• Iceland tops the 2025 HDI rankings with a score of 0.972.
• Norway and Switzerland follow in second and third place.
• South Sudan ranks last at 193rd, with an HDI of 0.388.
• Among neighboring countries, China ranks 75th, Sri Lanka 78th, and Bhutan 127th.
• Bangladesh shares the 130th position with India.
• Nepal is ranked 145th, Myanmar 149th, and Pakistan 168th, all below India.

Topic: International News

9. The Maldives has announced a major new project worth $8.8 billion to develop the Maldives International Financial Centre in Malé by 2030.

• The project is being developed in partnership with Qatari-backed MBS Global Investments.
• The Maldives International Financial Centre is designed to be a sustainable financial freezone.
• The Centre will offer major incentives such as zero corporate tax and no inheritance tax.
• Foreign investors will have full ownership rights and face no residency requirements.
• The facility will support banking in multiple currencies and allow offshore private banking.
• It will also introduce modern regulations for digital assets and green finance.
• The Maldives International Financial Centre is expected to generate over $1 billion in annual revenue within five years.
• The project aims to establish Malé as a major financial hub in the Indian Ocean.

Topic: Art and Culture

10. The Thrissur Pooram festival celebrated at the historic Vadakkumnathan Temple in Thrissur, Kerala.

• It is widely considered the most spectacular temple festival in the state.
• Large numbers of devotees and visitors have gathered to take part in the celebrations.
• This morning (6 May 2025), processions from eight nearby temples reached the Vadakkumnathan Temple.
• Deities from the Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu temples also joined the procession.
• All the participating groups offered prayers to Lord Shiva, the temple’s main deity.
• The temple grounds were filled with the vibrant sounds of traditional percussion music.
• Performances included Panchavadyam and Chenda Melam, both key elements of the festival.
• A major highlight is the ceremonial exchange of colorful umbrellas on decorated elephants.
• Thrissur Pooram Festival:
  • Thrissur Pooram is a major Hindu temple festival. It is celebrated every year in Thrissur, Kerala.
  • The festival takes place at the Vadakkunnathan Temple.
  • It is held on the day when the moon aligns with the Pooram star. This occurs in the Malayalam calendar month of Medam.
  • Thrissur Pooram is the largest of all pooram festivals in India. It is also the most widely known and celebrated.