School Assembly News Headlines: 10 May 2025

1. India Grants UK Access to Government Tenders Worth £38 Billion Annually Under New Free Trade Agreement
India will allow UK firms to bid on 40,000 tenders yearly. This move follows the finalisation of the free trade deal with legally guaranteed market access.

2. Meta Bans Instagram Page @Muslim in India After Government Request Amid India-Pakistan Tensions
Meta restricted the @Muslim page with 6.7 million followers in India. Instagram cited a legal request. The account founder called it censorship during rising India-Pakistan hostilities.

3. Prasar Bharati Launches WAVES OTT Platform, Offering Family Entertainment and More on Android and iOS
WAVES, an OTT platform by Prasar Bharati, provides live TV, on-demand videos, digital radio, gaming, and shopping. It’s available on both Android and iOS for family-friendly entertainment.

4. Indian Army Repels Pakistan’s Drone Attacks, Several Punjab Districts Face Blackout Amid Rising Tensions
The Indian Army successfully repelled drone attacks from Pakistan along the western border. A blackout affected Punjab and Chandigarh on May 8-9, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

5. India–UK Free Trade Agreement to Be Released in Three Months; No MIP for British Alcoholic Beverages
The official text of the India–UK free trade agreement is expected in three months after legal scrubbing. India will reduce duties on UK whisky and gin, but no MIP for alcohol.

6. Nirmala Sitharaman to Chair Meeting on Cybersecurity Preparedness Amid Tensions with Pakistan
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will chair a review meeting on banks’ cybersecurity preparedness. Representatives from major financial institutions and Cert-In will attend amid rising cyber attack concerns with Pakistan.

7. India Warns of Retaliation Against UK if Carbon Tax is Imposed; Concerns Over Trade Deal Concessions for MSMEs
India may retaliate against the UK if a carbon tax is introduced. The UK may not agree to India’s request for MSME concessions under the trade deal. This could impact certain tariff concessions.

8. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri Condemns Pakistan’s Drone Strikes on Indian Cities and Military Sites; Calls Them Provocative Actions
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned Pakistan’s drone strikes on Indian cities and military infrastructure. He described these actions as “provocative” and “escalatory” during a press briefing on Thursday alongside senior officials.

9. India and Chile to Hold First Round of Negotiations for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement in New Delhi from May 26 to 30
India and Chile will begin negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in New Delhi from May 26 to 30. Both nations signed the terms of reference for the agreement.

10. India’s Forex Reserves Drop by USD 2.065 Billion to USD 686.064 Billion for the Week Ending May 2
India’s forex reserves dropped by USD 2.065 billion to USD 686.064 billion for the week ending May 2. This follows an increase in reserves the previous week, which reached USD 688.129 billion.

1. Malappuram District Authorities Declare Containment Zones After Nipah Virus Case; Multiple Areas in Kerala Affected
In Kerala, Malappuram District authorities declared containment zones after a 42-year-old woman tested positive for the Nipah virus. The affected areas include Valancherry, Marakkara, Edayoor, and Athavanad panchayats.

3. Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Orders Evacuation Plans Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan; Prime Minister Modi Reviews Situation
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel ordered evacuation plans for villages in border districts due to rising tensions with Pakistan. PM Modi reviewed the situation with Patel, focusing on the preparedness of border areas.

3. West Bengal’s Travel Operators Face Impact from India-Pakistan Conflict; Rising Cancellations Across the Country
West Bengal travel operators are seeing increased cancellations due to the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. Initially, cancellations were limited to Jammu and Kashmir but have since spread across the country, especially after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.

4. Bengaluru Airport Implements Enhanced Screening Amid 49 Flight Cancellations; Passengers Advised to Arrive Early
Bengaluru airport has seen 49 flight cancellations over the last two days due to nationwide airport closures. Enhanced security measures have been introduced, with passengers advised to arrive at least three hours before departure for smoother check-in and boarding.

5. Mock Drills to Be Held Across 31 Locations in West Bengal for Civil Defence Preparedness Amid Rising Tensions with Pakistan
Mock drills will take place at 31 locations in 23 districts of West Bengal on Wednesday. The drills are part of nationwide civil defence preparedness following the Union Home Ministry’s directive amid tensions with Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.

1. China Confident in Handling US Trade Issues; IMF Board to Review Pakistan’s Financing Request
China expressed confidence in managing US trade issues ahead of talks in Switzerland. Meanwhile, Pakistan will seek financial support from the IMF, but India plans to oppose the request.

2. India to Oppose Pakistan’s Financing Request at IMF Board Meeting Amid Economic Struggles
Pakistan will seek financial support at the IMF board meeting in Washington. India plans to oppose additional funding, citing concerns over Pakistan’s economic situation.

3. Trump Proposes Tariff Cut Ahead of US-China Trade Talks; Officials to Meet in Switzerland
US President Trump suggested reducing tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 80% ahead of important trade talks between US and Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend. The talks are crucial for resolving trade tensions.

4. China Nears Completion of World’s Tallest Dam; Shuangjiangkou Dam Reaches Key Milestone
China’s Shuangjiangkou Dam in Sichuan started water storage on May 1. This marks a key milestone in the project. The dam is expected to generate power for over three million homes once fully operational.

5. Trump Appoints Jeanine Pirro as Interim US Attorney for Washington DC; Ex-Prosecutor to Replace Ed Martin
President Donald Trump appointed Fox News host and ex-New York prosecutor Jeanine Pirro as interim US attorney for Washington DC. Trump praised her as a ‘powerful crusader for victims of crime’.

1. IPL 2025 Suspended After Pahalgam Terror Attack and Military Tensions Between India and Pakistan
The Indian Premier League 2025 was suspended following heightened military tensions between India and Pakistan, triggered by the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya Close in on IPL 2025 Orange Cap Leaderboard with Stellar Opening Partnership
Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya put together a 122-run stand for PBKS. Prabhsimran Singh’s unbeaten 50 moved him to No. 6, while Arya’s 70 lifted him to No. 8 on the leaderboard.

3. BCCI Suspends Remainder of IPL 2025 Season for One Week Amid Escalating India-Pakistan Tensions
The BCCI has announced the immediate suspension of the IPL 2025 season for one week due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The revised schedule and venues will be announced after assessing the situation.

4. Annerie Dercksen’s Maiden ODI Century Leads South Africa to Consolation Win at Women’s Tri-Series in Colombo
Annerie Dercksen scored her maiden ODI century, the fastest by a South African, leading South Africa to a consolation win at the women’s tri-series in Colombo. South Africa posted their fifth highest score in ODIs, securing victory.

5. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Reach UEFA Europa League Final Despite Disappointing Domestic Seasons
Despite struggling in the Premier League, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur advanced to the UEFA Europa League final. Both secured commanding semi-final victories and will compete in the final in Bilbao on May 22.

1. RBI Introduces New Guidelines for Digital Lending to Streamline Regulatory Framework
The Reserve Bank of India issued the RBI (Digital Lending) Directions, 2025, to regulate digital lending activities. The new guidelines aim to improve the framework for digital lending by regulated entities.

2. Sebi Bars Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma from Accepting Fresh Esops for Three Years Over Issuance Lapses
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO of Paytm, has been barred from accepting fresh employee stock options for three years after settling a case with Sebi regarding lapses in Esop issuances by Paytm.

3. Public Sector Fuel Retailers Assure Ample Stocks Amid Tensions Between India and Pakistan; Urge Citizens to Avoid Panic Buying
Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, public sector fuel retailers assured that fuel stocks are sufficient across the country. They urged citizens to avoid panic buying and hoarding of petrol, diesel, and cooking gas.

4. Maharashtra Government Requests Increased Population Share in Tax Devolution Formula for Greater Allocation to Mumbai Region
The Maharashtra Government has recommended increasing the population share in the Finance Commission’s devolution formula from 15% to 20%. The state also requested ₹1,28,231 crore for infrastructure development in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

5. India-UK Free Trade Agreement to Set Differentiated Quota Bands for ICE and Electric Vehicles with 10% Import Tariff
Under the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, a 10% tariff will be applied to the auto sector, with differentiated quota bands for internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles, based on engine capacity and price.

1. India to Experience Continued Pre-Monsoon Showers and Thunderstorms Until May 11, 2025
India is expected to continue experiencing pre-monsoon showers and thunderstorms across several regions due to cyclonic circulations and troughs. The IMD has forecast widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning, especially over central and northwest India, until May 11.

2. Southwest Monsoon Likely to Advance into South Andaman Sea and Nicobar Islands Around May 13, 2025
The Southwest Monsoon is expected to advance into the South Andaman Sea and parts of the Southeast Bay of Bengal around May 13, 2025. Pre-monsoon conditions are expected to dominate until May 10, with early monsoon onset predictions for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.