Who is Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia?

She is a naval officer from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who has become the first woman to be trained as a fighter pilot in the Indian Navy.

Daily Current Affairs 5th July 2025, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update) |

National News

Government Cuts Toll Rates by 50% on Key Highways

On July 2, 2025, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) revised its toll rule to cut charges by up to 50% on National Highway sections with tunnels, bridges, flyovers, and elevated roads.
The new formula bases toll on the lesser of two values, easing the cost for drivers.
A senior NHAI official confirmed that this will help both the public and the infrastructure system.
The change is set to lower travel costs and promote the use of highways with big structures.

State News

Puri to Become Odisha’s Sixth Municipal Corporation

Puri will become the sixth municipal corporation in Odisha, as announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on July 5, 2025, ahead of the Bahuda Yatra.
The decision is aimed at providing better services in the city, which welcomes lakhs of visitors every year.
Areas around Puri city will be added to the corporation, and the government has also planned a Jagannath Museum, Library, and Research Centre to promote Odia culture.
This move supports the state’s vision to make Puri a major tourist and spiritual centre by 2036.

International News

EU Sets New 2040 Climate Target with Flexibility

EU Sets New 2040 Climate Target with Flexibility

The European Union (EU) on July 2, 2025, shared its 2040 climate goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90%, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050.
To gain wider support, the plan allows using international carbon credits from 2036, up to 3%.
This has raised concerns among climate groups about weakening the effort.
Key EU leaders like Wopke Hoekstra and Ursula von der Leyen defended the plan as ambitious yet flexible.
The final decision will come after discussions in July and a vote in September, with hopes of passing it before COP30 in Brazil.

Banking News

RBI Tells Banks to Use New Fraud Detection System

RBI Tells Banks to Use New Fraud Detection System

On June 30, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed all banks—including NBFCs and UPI platforms—to start using the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), made by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The FRI detects fraud-prone mobile numbers using data from platforms like NCRP, Chakshu, and bank reports.
Banks like HDFC, ICICI, and apps like PhonePe and Paytm are already using it.
This step will strengthen India’s digital banking safety, offer real-time protection, and help stop cyber-enabled financial frauds.

SBI Helps Add $44 Billion to World Economy

SBI Helps Add $44 Billion to World Economy

In FY25, India added $297 billion to the global economy, making up 6.7% of global GDP growth, according to SBI Research.
Out of this, the State Bank of India (SBI) contributed $44 billion, which is 1.1% of global growth and 16% of India’s total.
SBI also added ₹1.38 lakh crore in value to India’s financial services.
This highlights the growing importance of India and its key institutions in the world economy.

Mashreq Becomes First UAE Bank to Enter GIFT City

Mashreq Becomes First UAE Bank to Enter GIFT City

Mashreq, a top UAE bank, has received IFSCA’s in-principle approval to open an International Banking Unit (IBU) in GIFT City, Gujarat, becoming the first UAE-based bank to do so.
The branch, expected to start by Q4 of 2025, will offer foreign currency loans, trade finance, and risk management services.
With support from the UAE Central Bank and Indian SEZ bodies, this step will boost UAE–India financial relations, improve international banking services, and show confidence in India’s financial hub.

Business News

Microsoft Shuts Down Pakistan Office After 25 Years

Microsoft has closed its Pakistan office after 25 years as part of its global restructuring plan.
The decision was made on July 4, 2025, and came along with 9,100 job cuts worldwide.
The company is moving to a cloud-based model and depending more on local partners.
Experts like Jawwad Rehman and leaders like Arif Alvi called the move a troubling sign for Pakistan’s economy and blamed instability for losing business opportunities to countries like Vietnam.

Agreements News

India and Trinidad & Tobago Sign Six New Agreements to Boost Ties

On July 4, 2025, India and Trinidad & Tobago signed six agreements in Port of Spain during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.
These agreements aim to boost cooperation in culture, pharmaceuticals, sports, and infrastructure. PM Modi met PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar and President Christine Carla Kangaloo, and also announced OCI cards for sixth-generation Indian-origin people.
The visit was important for building stronger ties and working together on global issues.

Awards News

PM Modi Receives Trinidad and Tobago’s Highest Civilian Award

PM Narendra Modi was awarded the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on July 4, 2025, during his historic first visit to the country.
The honour was given for his global leadership, support during COVID-19, and deep connection with the Indian diaspora.
He also visited Ghana, where he received the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana.
These visits strengthen India’s global image and friendship with other nations.

S.R.N. Mehta School Wins Top Prize in NASA Contest

S.R.N. Mehta CBSE School in Kalaburagi won first prize in the NASA-NSS Space Settlement Design Contest 2025, announced on July 5, 2025.
Their project IRA, designed by 11 students, was presented at the ISDC-2025 in Orlando, USA, and appreciated by top space experts.
The students also visited the NASA Kennedy Space Center and returned to India on June 30. This win is a proud moment for the school, city, and India.

Defense News

Sub Lt Aastha Poonia Becomes First Woman Navy Fighter Pilot Trainee

Sub Lieutenant Aastha Poonia, from Meerut, has become the first woman to be trained as a fighter pilot in the Indian Navy.
She received the “Wings of Gold” at a ceremony on July 3, 2025, in Visakhapatnam.
She will now train to fly fighter jets like the MiG-29K and Rafale M from aircraft carriers like INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant.
This achievement reflects the Indian Navy’s push for gender equality, and its aim to promote women’s roles in defense and combat aviation.

Sports News

Gukesh Wins Rapid Chess Title in Zagreb

Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh won the rapid title at the SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz 2025 in Zagreb, Croatia, on July 4, scoring 14 points.
He now leads the Grand Chess Tour ahead of Jan-Krzysztof Duda (11 points) and Magnus Carlsen (10 points).
The blitz section begins on July 5, and the overall winner will be decided by the combined scores of both formats.

Science & Technology News

Ananth Tech to Start India’s First Private Satellite Internet

Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies will launch India’s first private satellite broadband service by 2028. It has received approval from IN-SPACe, India’s space regulator.
The company will send a satellite to geostationary orbit over 35,000 km above Earth to provide broadband internet directly from space.
This ₹3,000-crore project aims to improve internet access, especially in remote areas, and will compete with international players like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon Kuiper.
This marks a big change in India’s space and telecom sectors, allowing private companies to grow and serve more people.

Important Days News

International Day of Cooperatives 2025, Date, Significance

International Day of Cooperatives 2025, Date, Significance

On July 5, 2025, the International Day of Cooperatives (CoopsDay) is being celebrated worldwide during the UN’s International Year of Cooperatives (IYC2025).
The theme, “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World”, highlights how cooperatives improve lives in areas like health, farming, energy, and finance.
With over 3 million cooperatives serving 12% of the global population and supporting 280 million workers, their role is vital. In India, where the cooperative movement has deep roots, co-ops like AMUL and IFFCO continue to empower communities.
The 2025 event also supports wider global goals, reminding everyone that people-centered growth is the key to a better future.

Obituaries News

Julian McMahon, Star of ‘Fantastic Four’, Dies at 56

Julian McMahon, a 56-year-old Australian actor, known for his roles in ‘Fantastic Four’, ‘Nip/Tuck’, and ‘Charmed’, passed away in Florida after a long cancer battle, as confirmed on July 5, 2025.
His wife, Kelly McMahon, praised his love for life and fans.
He began as a model, became a top TV and movie star, and ended his career with Netflix’s ‘The Residence’ and a film at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. He was also the son of former Australian Prime Minister Billy McMahon.