Daily Current Affairs – 05-07-2025
States’ News
’Stalin With You’ Scheme
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the ‘Stalin With You’ scheme, aimed at listening to public grievances, on July 15 in Chidambaram, Cuddalore district. A press release issued by the Tamil Nadu government on Friday stated: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced in the Assembly that the work of directly addressing public grievances would begin. As per his announcement, the ‘Stalin With You’ scheme is being launched in all urban and rural areas across Tamil Nadu. Under this scheme, a total of 10 special camps will be conducted. The first camp under this scheme will be held in Chidambaram Municipality, Cuddalore district, starting July 15, and will be inaugurated by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. This scheme will be conducted in all districts until November. The objective of the scheme: The ‘Stalin With You’ scheme aims to take government services and benefits directly to the people in the remotest corners of Tamil Nadu, making them accessible to citizens. Under this scheme, 3,768 camps will be held in urban areas and 6,232 camps in rural areas. In these camps, 43 services from 13 government departments will be provided in urban areas, and 46 services from 15 departments in rural areas. In addition, medical service camps will also be held to address the health needs of the people attending the camps. The work of going door-to-door to distribute applications and information booklets will commence from coming Monday (July 7), the Tamil Nadu government’s press release stated.
‘Thagaichal Tamilar Virudhu’ for K.M. Kader Mohideen
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the ‘Thagaichal Tamilar Virudhu’ (Eminent Tamilian Award) will be awarded to K.M. Kader Mohideen, the National President of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). K.M. Kader Mohideen is a person who has worked throughout his life for social harmony with a deep understanding of Indian politics. The ‘Thagaichal Tamilar Virudhu’ for this year is being awarded to him. The award, consisting of a cheque for Rs. 10 lakhs and a certificate of appreciation, will be presented by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during the Independence Day celebrations. The ‘Thagaichal Tamilar Virudhu’ has been awarded since 2021. It was previously awarded to Left party leaders N. Sankaraiah, R. Nallakannu, Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani, and veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan.
2021 – N. Sankaraiah (Freedom Fighter, Marxist Leader) 2022 – R. Nallakannu (Veteran CPI leader, Social Activist) 2023 – K. Veeramani (Dravidian Movement Leader, Education and Equality Activist) 2024 – Kumari Ananthan (Veteran Congress Leader, Former MLA/MP, Gandhian)
“Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the Nutrient Agriculture Movement project to increase farmers’ income. He launched the new project via video conference from the Secretariat on Friday. According to the Nutrient Agriculture scheme, pulse varieties and minor millets are included. The Nutrient Agriculture Movement was announced with the aim of increasing the production capacity of nutrient-providing agricultural products and thereby raising farmers’ income. Under this scheme, 1.5 million (15 lakh) vegetable seed kits and 900,000 (9 lakh) fruit plant kits are to be provided.”
MoU Signed for Operating Cuddalore Port
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for operating the Cuddalore Port through a private entity.
To facilitate private participation in the operation of Cuddalore Port, the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board had released online bid documents.
Following the evaluation process, Magadhi Infra Services Private Limited was selected as the qualified company.
An MoU was signed between the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and the selected company on Friday in the presence of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
Achievement in creating mangrove forests
“Through the ‘Green Tamil Nadu Movement,’ in the last 3 years alone, we have planted 16 lakh mangrove saplings and restored 707 hectares of mangrove area. In Thiruvarur district alone, we have set a record by creating new mangrove forests covering 1,350 hectares,” said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. What are Mangrove Forests? Mangrove Forests are unique collections of trees and shrubs that grow in tropical and subtropical coastal areas, particularly in estuarine regions where saltwater and freshwater mix. They possess special adaptations to survive in saline marshlands and river deltas. Key Mangrove Forest Areas in Tamil Nadu: Pichavaram (Cuddalore District): Considered the world’s second-largest mangrove forest and one of the most important mangrove ecosystems in South Asia. Muthupettai (Thiruvarur District): Also one of Tamil Nadu’s significant mangrove forests, located in the Cauvery Delta region. Point Calimere (Nagapattinam District): Mandapam and Rameswaram (Ramanathapuram District): Areas surrounding the islands in the Gulf of Mannar. Green Tamil Nadu Movement: Through this scheme, 16 lakh mangrove saplings have been planted in the last 3 years alone. Area Restoration: As a result, 707 hectares of mangrove forest area have been restored. Thiruvarur District’s Contribution: The Chief Minister stated that a record has been set by creating new mangrove forests covering 1,350 hectares in Thiruvarur district alone.
International News
Recognition for Taliban Government
Russia has become the first country to grant recognition to the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
The Russian government has granted this recognition by accepting the new ambassador appointed by the Taliban rulers. Regarding this, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated in a released statement that ‘by recognizing the Taliban government, it is hoped that constructive bilateral cooperation between Russia and Afghanistan will improve in various sectors.‘
Microsoft Exits Pakistan
The world’s largest information technology company, Microsoft, has announced that it has closed its office in Pakistan and is completely exiting the country. Microsoft has decided not to continue operating in the country due to Pakistan’s deteriorating economic situation. An announcement was made two days ago that over 9,000 employees would be laid off from Microsoft. As part of this measure, the office in Pakistan is permanently being closed. Microsoft had been operating in Pakistan for about 25 years.
PM Modi Conferred with Trinidad & Tobago’s Highest Honour
The highest award of Trinidad and Tobago, ‘The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago,’ was conferred upon Prime Minister Modi, honoring him. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that this award was presented in recognition of the Prime Minister’s global leadership, his deep connections with the Indian diaspora, and his humanitarian efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Modi recently embarked on a week-long tour to five countries: Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. After concluding his visit to Ghana, he arrived in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on Thursday. There, he was directly welcomed at the airport by the country’s Prime Minister Keith Rowley, foreign ministers, and MPs. This marks the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999. During his stay, the Prime Minister participated in various events in areas with a significant Indian population, including Columbus City and Kumaracaria. This prestigious award was presented by the President of Trinidad and Tobago, Christine Kangaloo. Trinidad and Tobago Capital: Port of Spain President: Christine Kangaloo Prime Minister: Keith Rowley
American Tax Concession, Immigration Bill Passed
The American tax concession and immigration bill has been approved by the country’s parliament. The bill had already been passed in the upper house of the parliament. Subsequently, it has also been passed in the lower house. The ‘Olympian Unified Bill’ (a tax concession, expenditure reduction, and immigration bill) was introduced by the Trump administration. This bill permanently grants the tax concessions amounting to 4.5 trillion dollars (approximately Rs. 384 lakh crore) provided by the US government during Trump’s first term in office, from 2017 to 2021. Additionally, it includes provisions to save about 350 billion dollars (approximately Rs. 30 lakh crore) for national security, preventing illegal entry into the US, preventing financial misconduct by citizens, and other measures to protect America. This bill will provide medical and other benefits to over one crore low-income individuals in the country. They will also receive concessions on water and food supplies. Through this bill, a 1% tax will be levied on money sent by Indians and other foreign nationals in America to their home countries. Previously, a 5% tax was levied on such transfers. In 2024, Indians were at the forefront among foreigners who sent large sums of money to their home countries. That year, they sent 137.7 billion dollars (approximately Rs. 11.77 lakh crore) to India. Of this, 38 billion dollars (approximately Rs. 3.24 lakh crore) was sent by Indians residing in America. 218 MPs voted in favor of this bill, while 214 MPs voted against it. The number of MPs who voted against it was 2 more.
Sports News
Asian Weightlifting: Silver for India
In the Asian Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship held in Kazakhstan, India’s Pangkuni Tara won a silver medal. On Friday, the first day of the competition, competing in the Youth Women’s 44 kg weight category, she lifted a total of 141 kg, comprising 60 kg in the snatch category and 81 kg in the clean & jerk category. Consequently, Pangkuni Tara received a silver medal for the total weight lifted and a separate gold medal for the weight lifted in the clean & jerk category.
National News
Lieutenant Puniya Selected as Indian Navy’s First Female Combat Pilot
The Ministry of Defence announced on Friday that Sub-Lieutenant Astha Puniya has achieved the distinction of being the Indian Navy’s first female combat pilot. Following this, she has received training to operate naval combat aircraft. A press release issued by the Ministry of Defence stated that the graduation ceremony for trainees of the Indian Navy’s second basic combat training course was held on Thursday at the INS Dega Naval Air Station in Visakhapatnam. During the event, Lieutenant Astha Kumar and Sub-Lieutenant Astha Puniya received the ‘Golden Wings’ award from the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Air Wing), Jagat Bewal. Following this, it was announced that Sub-Lieutenant Astha Puniya has made history by being selected as the Indian Navy’s first female combat pilot.