IMPORTANT DAYS
Coal Miners Day 2025 observed on May 4.
• Coal Miners Day 2025observed every year on 4th May to recognize the hard work and sacrifices of coal miners.
• Aims to raise awareness about the challenging and risky nature of coal mining.
• Coal mining in India began in 1774 with the East India Company at Raniganj coalfield.
• Coal remains the most abundant fossil fuel, vital for various industrial applications.
• It plays a key role in power generation, steel production, and cement manufacturing.
• The four main types of coal are: Peat, Lignite, Bituminous, and Anthracite.
• Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) celebrated Coal Miners Day 2025 with enthusiasm at NCL Stadium, Singrauli.
• Separately, International Mine Awareness Day is marked globally on 4th April to promote safety and awareness in all forms of mining.
STATE NEWS
Haryana's New Excise Policy 2025: Key Reforms at a Glance
• Liquor shops must not be visible from National or State Highways under the new guidelines.
• Ad Ban Near Roads: Signboards and advertisements are prohibited, even at legally distanced shops from main roads.
• Fines for violations set at ₹1 lakh (1st), ₹2 lakh (2nd), ₹3 lakh (3rd), with license cancellation after repeated offence.
• Minimum distance from schools, colleges, and religious places raised to 150 meters.
• Liquor shops banned in villages with population under 500; 152 shops across 700+ villages to be closed.
• Total number of liquor outlets remains unchanged at 2400, spread across 1200 zones.
• Additional license fee for AHATAS—4% in Gurugram, 3% in Faridabad, Sonipat, Panchkula, and 1% in other districts.
• Alcohol-serving outlets must now have a minimum area of 1000 square meters.
SPORTS
Bihar Hosts 7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025 with Grand Inauguration
• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the 7th edition of the Khelo India Youth Games in Patna, marking Bihar’s first time as host.
• The games are being held from May 4 to 15, across five districts: Patna, Nalanda (Rajgir), Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai.
• The event sees participation from 8,500+ athletes and 1,500 technical officials, competing in 28 sports disciplines.
• PM Modi highlighted the boost in sports culture due to initiatives like Khelo India, empowering youth nationwide.
• Over 1,000 Khelo India Centres have been set up across India to identify and train budding talent.
• Indigenous sports like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, and Kho Kho are part of the platform to engage rural athletes.
• The PM noted India’s sports growth as a symbol of soft power and reiterated the goal to host the 2036 Olympics.
• He praised Bihar’s progress in sports infrastructure, mentioning the Rajgir International Sports Complex and Bihar’s first Sports University.
Anarghya Panchwatkar Shines at International Karate Championship in Dubai
• Anarghya Abhishek Panchwatkar from Gurugram won gold in the kumite category at the 11th Budokan International Karate Championship.
• The event took place on 26th April in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
• He represented India under the Sports Shitokai Karate Federation banner.
• In addition to gold in kumite, he also secured a bronze medal in the kata category.
• His performance showcased mastery in both combat (kumite) and form (kata) disciplines.
• The championship witnessed participation from over 900 athletes across 17 countries.
• Anarghya's outstanding performance earned him a spot on the top podium.
• His dual-medal win highlighted his all-round skill and international competitive spirit.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Anthony Albanese Secures Second Term as Australian Prime Minister
• Anthony Albanese has been re-elected, becoming the first Australian leader in decades to win back-to-back terms.
• With 70.8% of votes counted, Labor is leading in 85 out of 150 lower house seats — well above the 76-seat majority mark.
• The Liberal National Coalition is projected to win 36 seats, while independents are expected to secure around 10.
• Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton has officially conceded defeat.
• Labor had a narrow majority with 77 seats before this election.
• Albanese's win marks a political rebound, as he faced low approval ratings earlier in the year.
• Key voter concerns included inflation, healthcare, and housing affordability.
• Australia, a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy, has Canberra as its capital and uses the Australian dollar.