Daily Current Affairs and GK | 9 May 2025

Topic: Important Days

1. World Red Cross Day: 8 May

• World Red Cross Day is observed on May 8 each year.
• This year, World Red Cross Day commemorated 197th birth anniversary of Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross.
• The theme for World Red Cross Day 2025 is “Keeping Humanity Alive.”
• This theme honors those who dedicate their time to alleviating suffering.
• It also recognizes those who give their lives to protect human dignity.
• World Red Cross Day celebrates the principles of the Red Crescent Movement.
• It also celebrates the work of the International Red Cross.
• May 8 is the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
• Henry Dunant was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1901.
• The first Red Cross Day was celebrated on May 8, 1948.
• The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was founded in 1919.
• The Red Cross is headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA.

Topic: Sports

2. Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from Test Cricket.

• Rohit Sharma has officially retired from Test cricket, marking the end of his illustrious journey in the longest and most traditional format of the game.
• The 38-year-old cricketer was handed the Test captaincy of India in 2022 and was seen leading the team in the 2023 ICC World Test Championship final against Australia.
• Since making his Test debut in 2013, Rohit played in 67 matches, during which 4301 runs were accumulated by him at an average of 40.6, including 12 centuries and 18 fifties.
• His highest score in Test cricket—212 runs—was registered against South Africa in Ranchi in October 2019.
• Rohit's Test career includes notable moments such as India's historic Test series win in Australia (2020–21) and appearances in two ICC World Test Championship finals.
• Earlier, Rohit had also retired from T20 Internationals after leading India to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
• Despite retiring from Tests and T20Is, Rohit Sharma has confirmed that he will continue to captain India in ODIs.
• This year, Rohit Sharma was named the captain of the ICC Men's T20I Team of the Year 2024.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

3. On 8 May, Nitin Gadkari said that India has become the third-largest automobile manufacturer.

• Now, India has emerged as the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, according to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
• The announcement was made during the 4th International BBB Summit and Expo on Bioenergy Value Chain held in New Delhi.
• He said that the demand for different types of automobiles is increasing, and at the same time, the consumption of fossil fuels will also increase due to the increase in automobile production.
• A reduction in imports and a boost in exports was emphasized as a key strategy for strengthening the national economy.
• The minister pointed out that agriculture is currently not economically sustainable and proposed that viable solutions must be developed to make it profitable.
• He stressed that self-reliance cannot be achieved without making agriculture financially rewarding.
• He stated that biofuel can enhance farmers' income, reduce pollution, and decrease reliance on fossil fuel imports.
• He highlighted the urgent need to cut India's Rs 22 lakh crore fossil fuel import bill and reduce pollution caused by burning of crop waste and vehicular emissions.
• Gadkari said that now the time has come to convert agricultural waste, crop residue, bamboo and biomass into green fuel and value-added products.
• The two-day summit attended by a wide range of stakeholders, including bureaucrats, scientists, academicians, technocrats, and industry leaders, who are focusing on promoting bioenergy technologies using biomass resources.

Topic: State News/New Delhi

4. Delhi government approved Rs 3.21 crore cloud-seeding project to tackle pollution.

• A total of five cloud-seeding trials have been sanctioned by the Delhi Government to tackle the persistent issue of air pollution in the capital.
• An estimated cost of Rs 2.75 crore has been allocated for the trials, with each cloud setting costing Rs 55 lakh.
• In addition, a setup cost of ₹66 lakh has been earmarked for logistics, chemical storage, and aircraft calibration, bringing the total project cost to ₹3.21 crore.
• The implementation will be carried out by IIT Kanpur, which has been assigned responsibilities such as aircraft deployment, chemical dispersal, and scientific modelling.
• The initial trial is expected to take place between May and June, covering around 100 sq. km., mainly in Delhi’s outer regions.
• It was informed that five cloud-seeding exercises will be conducted during this phase under the approved plan.
• Following the completion of the trials, a scientific assessment will be conducted to examine both the effectiveness and environmental impact of the intervention.
• Cloud seeding is a scientific weather modification technique that involves dispersing agents such as silver iodide into moist clouds to induce rainfall.

Topic: Sports

5. The SAFF Under-19 Championship 2025 began in Arunachal Pradesh.

• On May 9, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) U-19 Football Championship 2025 began at Yupia in Papum Pare District, Arunachal Pradesh.
• Six countries are participating in this tournament.
• The opening match was played between India and Sri Lanka at the Golden Jubilee Stadium, Yupia.
• Group A consists of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Maldives, while India and Nepal join Sri Lanka in Group B.
• The final of the championship is scheduled for May 18.
• The 2025 SAFF U-19 Championship is the 7th edition of the regional football tournament for under-19 men's national teams of South Asia.
• The championship is organized by the South Asian Football Federation.
• The last edition saw defending champions Bangladesh win their first title in 2024 by defeating Nepal 4–1 in the final.
• The championship was first held in Nepal in August 2015.
• India is the most successful team with three titles.

Topic: MoUs and Agreements

6. The Coal Ministry signed an agreement to promote clean energy through gasification projects.

• The Coal Gasification Plant Development and Production Agreement (CGPDPA) has been signed by the Coal Ministry with selected applicants under Category II of the Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of senior officials, including Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, and other technical directors.
• The approved applicants under this category include Jindal Steel and Power Ltd., Greta Energy and Metal Pvt. Ltd., and New Era Cleantech Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• The initiative is part of the ₹8,500 crore Financial Incentive Scheme for Coal Gasification, launched in January 2024.
• The scheme targets 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030, leveraging India’s domestic coal for sustainable industrial development.
• Both public and private sector companies have been encouraged to participate in this clean coal transition.
• This initiative is a key component of India's clean coal transition strategy.
• It is expected to reduce environmental impact, enhance energy security, and boost economic growth through technological innovation and infrastructure development.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

7. DPIIT and Hafele India signed a partnership agreement on May 7, 2025, in New Delhi.

• The collaboration aims to boost India’s manufacturing and innovation capabilities.
• It focuses on supporting startups, MSMEs, and entrepreneurs.
• The goal is to build strong local supply chains.
• It also seeks to position India as a global manufacturing leader.
• Häfele will lead efforts in product innovation, domestic sourcing, and entrepreneurship.
• These efforts will include funding, mentoring, and access to global markets.
• The company will provide infrastructure support to startups and MSMEs.
• It will also help develop local suppliers and encourage technical collaborations.
• Additionally, Häfele will help these businesses access new markets.
• Häfele has already invested over USD 2.5 million in an Indian appliance startup.
• It has also issued purchase orders to Indian MSMEs in hardware and furniture fittings.
• DPIIT will provide ecosystem support through Startup India.
• This includes networking, program access, and co-branding opportunities.
• Shri Sanjiv, Joint Secretary at DPIIT, said the partnership reflects a strong model of industrial collaboration.
• Frank Schloeder, Managing Director – South Asia at Häfele, praised India’s innovation potential.
• He highlighted the vision of “India for India” today and “India for the World” tomorrow.
• The MoU was signed by Dr. Sumeet Jarangal from DPIIT and Mr. Frank Schloeder from Häfele India.
• The agreement will be effective for two years from the date of signing.
• It may be extended later through mutual agreement.

Topic: MoUs/Agreements

8. India and Chile signed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) on May 8, 2025.

• The agreement signals the beginning of formal CEPA negotiations between the two countries.
• It was signed by H.E. Mr. Juan Angulo, Chile’s Ambassador to India.
• Shri Vimal Anand, Joint Secretary in India’s Department of Commerce, also signed the ToR.
• He is serving as the Chief Negotiator for India in the CEPA discussions.
• The CEPA aims to expand the existing Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA).
• It will include additional sectors such as digital trade, MSME cooperation, investment promotion, and critical minerals.
• The first round of negotiations will take place in New Delhi from May 26 to 30, 2025.
• India and Chile maintain a strong and strategic partnership.
• Their relationship has been strengthened by regular high-level visits.
• In January 2005, the two countries signed a Framework Agreement on Economic Cooperation.
• A Preferential Trade Agreement followed in March 2006.
• This PTA was later expanded in September 2016 and became effective in May 2017.
• In April 2019, both nations agreed to further enhance the PTA.
• To broaden trade ties, both sides decided to begin CEPA talks.
• This decision was based on recommendations from a Joint Study Group (JSG).
• The JSG was established under the 2005 Framework Agreement.
• Its final report was completed and signed on April 30, 2024.
• This commitment was reaffirmed during the Chilean President’s visit to India from April 1 to 5, 2025.
• President Gabriel Boric Font visited at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• During the visit, both leaders emphasized the role of trade and commerce in bilateral relations.
• They welcomed the signing of the ToR and the launch of CEPA negotiations.
• The CEPA is expected to be a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial agreement.
• It aims to unlock trade and investment potential and support deeper economic ties.

Topic: International News

9. India will present its concerns at the IMF board meeting in Washington on May 9.

• The discussion will focus on the financial assistance provided to Pakistan.
• Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed India’s participation in the meeting.
• He stated that India’s representative at the IMF will share the country’s position.
• India has raised concerns about Pakistan's track record with IMF programs.
• Most of the 24 IMF bailout packages given to Pakistan have not ended successfully.
• Parameswaran Iyer is currently India’s Executive Director at the IMF.
• He took over the role after the removal of K.V. Subramanian by the Indian government.
• Pakistan has received several IMF bailout packages over the last ten years.
• In September 2024, the IMF approved a $7 billion loan for Pakistan.
• Out of this amount, $1 billion has already been disbursed.
• In March 2025, the IMF also approved a $1.3 billion loan for climate-related projects in Pakistan.
• IMF loans are conditional and require countries to implement structural economic reforms.
• Pakistan is currently experiencing a serious economic crisis.
• It depends heavily on IMF support through the Extended Fund Facility.
• The IMF board will conduct a review on May 9.
• This review will decide whether Pakistan qualifies for the next tranche of IMF funding.

Topic: International Appointments

10. Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new pope on May 8, 2025.

• He became the first pope from the United States. Prevost chose the papal name Leo XIV. He is the 267th pope overall.
• Prevost succeeds Pope Francis, who passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88.
• Pope Francis had led the Church for 12 years. He was known for his progressive and compassionate approach.
• However, he faced criticism from conservative factions within the Church.
• The new pope now faces several significant challenges. He must address global conflicts and unify a divided Church.
• He will also need to tackle the lasting effects of the sexual abuse scandal.
• The conclave that elected Prevost started on the afternoon of May 7, 2025. It included 133 cardinals from around the world.
• The progress of the votes was communicated through smoke signals from the Sistine Chapel.
• White smokes on the evening of May 8 confirmed the election of a new pope.
• It’s unclear how many ballots were cast.
• In 2005, Pope Benedict XVI was elected in four ballots. Pope Francis was elected in five ballots in 2013.