School Assembly News Headlines: 5 April 2025 

National News

1. President Rejects Tamil Nadu’s Bill, Making NEET Mandatory for Medical Admissions Across the State.

2. Parliament Passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, Strengthening Oversight on Waqf Property Management.

3. India Urges BRICS to Enhance Climate Financing for Achieving UN’s 2030 Sustainability Goals.

4. Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar, Renowned for Patriotic Films, Passes Away at 87 Due to Heart Attack.

International News

1. Donald Trump Announces Imminent Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals and Semiconductors, Calling Pharma Measures Unprecedented.

2. PM Modi Presents 21-Point Action Plan at BIMSTEC Summit, Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Indo-Pacific Vision.

Sports News

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Surprise Switch to Goa After Friction with Ajinkya Rahane in Mumbai Cricket.

2. Hitesh Becomes First Indian Boxer to Reach Boxing World Cup 2025 Finals in Brazil.

Business News

1. Subprime Loan Crisis in India: 68% Borrowers in Distress, Industry Faces Losses Amid 2,100% Expansion.

2. India-South Korea Trade Relations Strengthen as Leaders Discuss Growth Strategy and Emerging Industries at Seoul Forum.

1. President Rejects Tamil Nadu’s Bill to Exempt State from NEET, Making National Medical Entrance Exam Compulsory for Admissions
Tamil Nadu sought to admit medical students using Class 12 marks instead of NEET. President Murmu rejected the bill, passed twice, ensuring NEET remains the mandatory entrance exam for medical admissions nationwide.

2. Parliament Passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, to Regulate Waqf Properties After Extensive Debate and Close Voting in Both Houses
The bill, aimed at improving Waqf property management, passed after intense discussions. Rajya Sabha approved it with 128 votes for and 95 against. Lok Sabha earlier passed it with 288 in favor and 232 opposing.

3. India Urges BRICS Nations to Strengthen Climate Financing and Leadership to Achieve UN’s 2030 Sustainability and Carbon Reduction Goals
At the BRICS meeting in Brazil, India emphasized increasing climate funding and collaboration. It urged nations to enhance policies for cutting carbon emissions and achieving global sustainability targets before the 2030 deadline.

4. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme Increases Sex Ratio at Birth from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24
The scheme, launched in 2015, aims to improve the child sex ratio and empower girls. It promotes mindset changes through awareness, motivation, and stakeholder engagement to ensure better opportunities for women.

5. India Ranks 10th in AI Investments and Improves to 36th in Global Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index
India secured 10th place in AI investments globally in 2023. It also moved from 48th to 36th in 2024 on UNCTAD’s index, reflecting progress in advanced technology adoption and innovation.

6. Government Discontinues Star-Rating System for Environmental Clearances After National Green Tribunal’s Legal Proceedings
The environment ministry scrapped the 2022 star-rating system for state expert bodies evaluating environmental clearances. The decision followed NGT hearings, which challenged the system’s efficiency in approving industrial and infrastructure projects.

7. India Ranks 36th Globally in Readiness for Frontier Technologies, Improving from 48th in 2022, Says UNCTAD Report
India moved up to 36th place in UNCTAD’s ‘Readiness for Frontier Technologies’ index. The ranking evaluates ICT deployment, skills, R&D, industrial capacity, and financial access for technological advancement and innovation.

8. PM Modi Meets Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus at BIMSTEC Summit, Discusses Minority Safety and Bilateral Relations
At the BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi raised concerns over minority safety in Bangladesh. He advised against harmful rhetoric affecting relations, following Yunus’ remarks on India’s Northeast, which sparked criticism from Indian leaders.

9. Budget Session of Parliament Ends with 16 Bills Passed and Over 118% Productivity Recorded in Both Houses
The Budget session, which started on January 31, concluded with 16 bills passed. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla adjourned Parliament sine die, highlighting the session’s high legislative productivity and key discussions.

10. Veteran Actor Manoj Kumar, Known for Patriotic Films, Passes Away at 87 Due to Severe Heart Attack
Manoj Kumar, famous for films like “Shaheed” and “Upkar,” died from a heart attack. He had been battling liver cirrhosis, which worsened his health, leading to his passing in Mumbai.

1. Donald Trump Announces Imminent Tariffs on Pharmaceuticals and Semiconductors, Calls Pharma Measures Unprecedented
Trump stated that tariffs on semiconductors will begin soon, with pharmaceutical tariffs under review. He emphasized that the measures on pharma imports will be unprecedented and announced in the near future.

2. PM Modi Presents 21-Point Action Plan at BIMSTEC Summit, Strengthening Regional Cooperation and India’s Indo-Pacific Vision
At the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, PM Modi outlined an ambitious roadmap for regional cooperation. The plan aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies, enhancing strategic Indo-Pacific engagement.

3. French President Macron Urges Companies to Halt US Investments Amid Trump’s Harsh Tariffs on Europe and Global Trade Tensions
Macron criticized Trump’s 20% tariffs on EU imports, calling them brutal and unjustified. He urged European unity, warning of severe economic consequences, and opposed unilateral responses to US trade measures.

4. South Korea’s Constitutional Court Upholds President Yoon’s Impeachment, Removing Him from Office Over Martial Law Controversy
The court ruled that Yoon misused national emergency powers and failed to follow procedures. With six out of eight judges supporting impeachment, he is officially removed as South Korea’s President.

5. QUAD Nations Extend Sympathy to Myanmar and Thailand, Call for Ceasefires and Urgent Humanitarian Aid Post-Devastating Earthquake
India, US, Japan, and Australia expressed condolences over Myanmar’s earthquake crisis. They urged ceasefires, emphasizing the need for safe conditions to deliver humanitarian aid to affected regions.

1. Subprime Loan Crisis in India: 68% Borrowers in Distress, Industry Faces Losses Amid 2,100% Expansion.
India’s $45 billion subprime loan market faces distress, with 68% of borrowers struggling. Analysts urge RBI to implement stronger regulations to prevent financial instability and mitigate the risk of widespread defaults.

2. India-South Korea Trade Relations Strengthen as Leaders Discuss Growth Strategy and Emerging Industries at Seoul Forum.
Both nations explored expanding trade, investment, and cooperation in renewable energy and advanced manufacturing. The discussion focused on strengthening economic ties and fostering strategic collaboration for mutual growth and development.

3. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s Remarks on Indian Startups Trigger Backlash from Industry Leaders Defending Innovation and Economic Contributions.
Industry leaders, including Zepto CEO Aadit Palicha, defended startups, highlighting their impact on job creation, foreign investments, and technological advancements, calling them essential for India’s economic and innovation-driven future.

4. Global Trade Under Threat as WTO and IMF Warn of Economic Disruptions Due to Rising US Tariffs on Major Nations.
WTO and IMF expressed concerns over increased US tariffs, warning of potential trade wars between economic giants like China and the EU, threatening global trade stability and economic growth.

5. India’s Services Sector Growth Slows in March Amid Softer Demand and Lowest Price Increase Rate in Three Years.
India’s services sector growth eased, with the HSBC Services PMI dropping to 58.5. Weaker demand slowed job creation, while businesses reported the lowest price increase rate in three-and-a-half years.

1. Global Trade War Looms as Countries React to U.S. Tariffs Imposed by President Donald Trump.
Trump’s sweeping tariffs sparked concerns over a global downturn and price hikes. World leaders condemned the move, signaling the end of decades-long trade liberalization and plunging financial markets.

2. Kenyan Court Rules Meta Can Be Sued Over Alleged Hate Speech Leading to Ethiopian Ethnic Violence.
The case relates to Facebook’s role in spreading hate speech during Ethiopia’s civil war. It could impact how Meta moderates content globally and interacts with local regulatory frameworks.

3. Trump Suggests TikTok Sale Could Be Linked to China’s Approval for Tariff Relief on Chinese Imports.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump highlighted TikTok as an example of using tariffs in diplomatic negotiations, suggesting China approve its sale in exchange for eased trade restrictions.

4. Indian Court Directs Wikipedia to Remove Defamatory Content from a News Agency’s Page.
The Wikimedia Foundation, like X (formerly Twitter), faces legal challenges in India over content moderation. The ruling intensifies scrutiny on online platforms’ responsibilities in managing published material.

5. Brazil’s Central Bank Announces Pix Installment Feature to Expand Access to Digital Payments.
Scheduled for September, the update aims to enhance Pix’s usage for high-value retail transactions. It benefits users without traditional credit options, improving financial accessibility and flexibility.