సింగపూర్లో 2025 మే 3న జరిగిన పార్లమెంటు ఎన్నికల్లో ప్రధాని లారెన్స్ వాంగ్ నేతృత్వంలోని అధికార పీపుల్స్ యాక్షన్ పార్టీ (పీఏపీ) మరోసారి విజయం సాధించింది. దీంతో ప్రధానిగా మరోసారి ఆయన బాధ్యతలు చేపట్టనున్నారు. ఆ దేశంలో దాదాపు 26 లక్షల మంది ఓటు హక్కును వినియోగించుకున్నారు. సింగపూర్లో ఓటేయడం తప్పనిసరి. లారెన్స్ వాంగ్ (52) 2024లో సింగపూర్ ప్రధానిగా బాధ్యతలు చేపట్టారు. దేశ ఆర్థిక మంత్రిగానూ ఆయన సేవలందిస్తున్నారు.
♦ Coal Miners’ Day is observed every year in India on May 4 to recognise the sacrifices and hard work of the coal miners. ♦ The purpose of this day is to express gratitude for their commitment and hard labour. ♦ In 1774, John Summer and Suetonius Grant Heatly established India’s first coal mine. ♦ It was in the Raniganj Coalfield, beside the Damodar River. ♦ The demand for coal increased following India’s independence in 1949, and the government created plans in order to obtain additional coal for energy.
♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the seventh edition of the Khelo India Youth Games through videoconfere on 4 May 2025. ♦ The Games are being held across five cities in Bihar—Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai. ♦ Over 6,000 young athletes from across the country are participating in this edition of the Games.
♦ Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was re-elected as the country’s leader, becoming the first in decades to secure a second term. ♦ The Labour Party has secured 85 seats in the 150-seat House of Representatives. ♦ The Opposition Liberal National Coalition is expected to win 36 seats and the Independents stand at 10. ♦ Albanese has become the first Australian prime minister in 21 years to lead a political party to two consecutive election victories.
♦ Yoga practitioner, a Padma Shri awardee, Baba Sivanand passed away in Varanasi on 4 May 2025. ♦ He was 128 years old. He was born on August 8, 1896, in the Sylhet district of present-day Bangladesh. ♦ Orphaned at the age of six after his parents died of starvation, he was taken in by Omkarnand, who became his spiritual mentor and guided him in yogic and ascetic disciplines. ♦ He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2022 for his exceptional contribution to society through yoga.
♦ World Press Freedom Day is observed every year on May 3 to spotlight the important role the fourth pillar of democracy, media plays by bringing truth to the public. ♦ The day raises awareness about the challenges faced by journalists and ensures that the information flows freely. ♦ Following UNESCO’s recommendation in 1991, the United Nations General Assembly officially established World Press Freedom Day in 1993 and it was first observed in 1994. ♦ 2025 theme: ‘Reporting In The Brave New World – The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On Press Freedom And The Media.’
♦ Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari PVSM AVSM VM took charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, IAF on 3 May 2025. ♦ He completed his schooling at Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun before joining the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala, He passed out from NDA in Jun 1985 with the President's Gold Medal. ♦ He was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the Indian Air Force on 07 Jun 1986. ♦ Prior to assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Tiwari was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at South Western Air Command. ♦ In recognition of his distinguished service, the Air Marshal was awarded the Presidential Award of Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022, and Vayu Sena Medal in 2008.
♦ Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's People's Action Party (PAP) won the Singapore General Election on 3 May 2025. ♦ PAP secured 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats. ♦ In all, 65.57% of the 2,386,452 valid votes cast went to the PAP — up from 61.24% in the 2020 General Election — in what was PM Wong’s first electoral test leading the ruling party. ♦ The opposition Workers’ Party retained its 10 seats. ♦ Wong was sworn-in 2024, May as the new Prime Minister in 20 years after Lee Hsien Loong stepped down after almost two decades. ♦ The PAP has ruled the Singapore ever since independence in 1965.
♦ Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on 3 May 2025. ♦ India has announced a defence credit line of 200 million dollars to support the modernisation of Angola’s armed forces. ♦ PM Modi emphasised India’s commitment to taking firm and decisive action against terrorists and their supporters and thanked Angola for its solidarity in combating cross-border terrorism. ♦ The leaders engaged in discussions aimed at deepening cooperation across sectors such as agriculture, traditional medicine, and cultural exchange.
♦ The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out maiden flight-trials of its Stratospheric Airship Platform from Sheopur Trial site at Madhya Pradesh on 3 May 2025. ♦ Developed by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment at Agra in Uttar Pradesh, the airship was launched carrying an instrumental payload to an altitude of around 17 kilometers. ♦ This system will uniquely enhance India’s earth observation and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance capabilities.
