INTERNATIONAL NEWS
1. India, UK conclude Free Trade Agreement:
Why in news?
India and the United Kingdom sealed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with a Double Contribution Convention, that will lower tariffs on 99 per cent Indian exports.
About the aim of this agreement:
- The agreement will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting overall trade basket.
2. Karachi Stock Exchange:
Why in news?
Karachi Stock Exchange nosedives over 6,500 points after India launched Operation Sindoor.
About the fall down of karachi Stock Exchange:
- Pakistan’s benchmark KSE-100 index crashed over 5.5% on 7 May 2025 after the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK).
- The operation was carried out in response to the deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead.
- The KSE-100 index plunged 6,272 points, or 5.5%, to 107,296 in early trade. Since April 23, the index has lost a total of 9,930 points.
NATIONAL NEWS
3. Northeast’s first Geothermal production Well:
Why in news?
Northeast’s first Geothermal production well drilled in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh
Aim of this New Geothermal Production well:
- The Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS) has successfully completed this initiative, which is considered a major milestone in the region’s pursuit of sustainable and renewable energy sources.
- Geothermal energy is heat energy from the earth.
- Geothermal resources are reservoirs of hot water that exist depths below the earth’s surface.
- Wells ranging from a few feet to several miles deep can be drilled into underground reservoirs to tap steam and hot water that can be brought to the surface for use in a variety of applications, including electricity generation, heating buildings, and providing heat for various industrial and agricultural processes.
IMPORTANT SUMMITS
4. 12th Global Space Exploration Conference 2025:
Why in news?
12th Global Space Exploration Conference 2025 begins in New Delhi.
About the Space Exploration Conference 2025:
- Pm Narendra Modi inaugurated the 3-day conference on 7 May 2025.
- This has been organised by the International Aeronautical Federation.
- It is being hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with the Indian Astronautical Society of India as the co-host.
- The Conference brings together global leaders in space exploration to discuss the latest advancements, challenges, and future human space exploration.
- The theme of the 12th Global Space Exploration Conference is ‘Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance.‘
- The last edition of the Global Space Exploration Conference was held in Oslo, Norway in May 2023.
- The first Conference was held in 2010 in Beijing, China.
IMPORTANT DAYS
5. World Athletics Day:
Why in news?
World Athletics Day is celebrated every on May 7th.
About the day and its importance:
- The inaugural World Athletics Day was celebrated in 1996 by the International Association of Athletics Federations, now known as World Athletics.
- Headquarters of World Athletics: Monaco
- President: Sebastian Coe (UK)
6. Traders Day:
Why in news?
Tamil Nadu to declare May 5 as Traders Day.
About the day and its importance:
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the state will soon officially declare May 5 as Traders Day, addressing a long-standing demand of the business community.
- CM announced this at 42nd annual meeting of the Traders’ Association in suburban Maduranthakam on 05 May 2025.