Daily Current Affairs- 10th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 10th March 2025

Supreme Court Upholds Power to arrest under GST Act

In the News: The Supreme Court of India recently addressed the scope of arrest powers under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Act, 2017, introducing significant clarifications and safeguards to prevent potential misuse.

• Constitutional Validity Upheld: The Court affirmed the constitutionality of the provisions granting arrest powers under both the Customs and CGST Acts. However, it emphasized that these powers must be exercised within the framework of legal safeguards to prevent arbitrary actions.
• Alignment with CrPC Provisions: Officials operating under the Customs and CGST Acts possess powers similar to those of police officers, including arrest, search, and seizure. Consequently, they are required to adhere to the procedural safeguards outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, ensuring that arrests are not conducted arbitrarily.
• Mandatory Recording of Reasons: Before proceeding with an arrest, officers must have substantial material evidence and must document their "reason to believe" that the individual has committed an offense under the respective Acts. This documentation is crucial for maintaining transparency and accountability.
• Communication of Grounds for Arrest: Individuals being arrested must be informed of the specific reasons for their arrest, including the evidence or rationale that led to the officer's belief in their guilt. This ensures that the arrested individuals can effectively exercise their legal rights, such as applying for bail or challenging the arrest.
• Prohibition of Coercive Tax Recovery: The Court addressed concerns regarding the misuse of arrest powers to coerce taxpayers into making payments under duress. It declared such practices illegal and impermissible, reinforcing that tax recovery should not involve threats of arrest. Individuals subjected to such coercion are entitled to seek refunds of amounts paid under pressure and may pursue disciplinary action against the responsible officials.

Donald Trump Proposes Negotiations for New Iran Nuclear Deal 

In the News: In early March 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump initiated efforts to negotiate a new nuclear agreement with Iran, aiming to address and potentially resolve longstanding concerns regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.

• Proposal for New Negotiations: President Trump announced that he had sent a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing discussions to establish a new nuclear deal. Trump emphasized his preference for a diplomatic resolution over military action, stating that negotiations would be beneficial for Iran and could prevent further escalation.
• Iran's Response: Supreme Leader Khamenei dismissed the proposal, characterizing it as "bullying tactics" and expressing skepticism about the United States' intentions. He indicated that Iran would not succumb to external pressure to engage in negotiations.

 Background Context:

• S. Withdrawal from JCPOA: In 2018, the United States withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, citing concerns that the agreement did not adequately prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. This withdrawal led to the reinstatement of economic sanctions against Iran.
• Iran's Nuclear Activities: Following the U.S. withdrawal, Iran resumed certain nuclear activities, including enriching uranium at levels approaching weapons-grade, which has heightened tensions with the international community.

Vanuatu Cancels Citizenship for Lalit Modi

In the News: Lalit Modi, the founder of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has been a prominent figure in both Indian cricket administration and business.

• Modi played a pivotal role in establishing the IPL in 2008, revolutionizing cricket with its Twenty20 format. However, his tenure was marred by allegations of financial irregularities, leading to his departure from India in 2010 and subsequent residence in London.

Vanuatu Citizenship and Recent Developments:

• Acquisition of Vanuatu Citizenship: Lalit Modi reportedly acquired citizenship of Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation known for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which allows individuals to obtain citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution.
• Passport Cancellation: On March 10, 2025, Vanuatu's Prime Minister Jotham Napat directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel Modi's passport. This decision was based on concerns that Modi sought Vanuatu citizenship to evade legal proceedings in India, where he faces allegations of financial misconduct.
• Citizenship Commission's Stance: The Chairman of Vanuatu's Citizenship Commission, Charles Maniel, stated that the commission would await the outcome of court proceedings before making a final decision on Modi's citizenship status.

 About Vanuatu:

• Location and Composition: Vanuatu is an archipelago of approximately 80 islands located in the South Pacific Ocean, between Fiji and Australia. Its capital, Port Vila, is situated on Efate Island.
• Citizenship by Investment Program: Vanuatu offers a CBI program, allowing foreign nationals to obtain citizenship in exchange for a financial contribution, typically around $130,000. This program has attracted individuals seeking visa-free travel and tax benefits.

Canada’s new Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader

Mark Carney has been elected as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and is set to become the country's next Prime Minister, succeeding Justin Trudeau.

• Professional Experience: Carney, 59, is a distinguished economist with degrees from Harvard and Oxford. He has served as the Governor of both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, earning recognition for his adept management during financial crises.
• Leadership Election: Carney secured the leadership of the Liberal Party with 85.9% of the vote, defeating notable figures such as Chrystia Freeland.
• Trudeau's Resignation: Justin Trudeau announced his resignation as Prime Minister and Liberal Party leader on January 6, 2025, amid declining poll numbers and internal party pressures.
• US-Canada Relations: Carney assumes leadership during heightened tensions with the United States, particularly concerning a 25% tariff imposed by President Trump on Canadian goods and discussions about Canada's sovereignty 

United States withdraws from Loss and Damage Fund

In the News: The United States has withdrawn from the United Nations' Loss and Damage Fund, an international initiative established to compensate developing countries for the adverse effects of climate change.

Background:

• Establishment of the Fund: The Loss and Damage Fund was created during the COP28 UN climate summit in 2023, following extensive advocacy by nations most affected by climate change.
• S. Initial Commitment: Under the Biden administration, the United States pledged $17.5 million to support the fund.
• Withdrawal Decision: The Trump administration has retracted the U.S. commitment and withdrawn from the fund, aligning with its broader strategy to reduce involvement in international climate initiatives.
• Impact on Global Climate Finance: This withdrawal contributes to a significant reduction in global climate finance, affecting efforts to assist developing countries in combating climate change.
• Continued Commitments by Other Nations: Despite the U.S. withdrawal, other countries, including Italy and France, have maintained or increased their contributions, with the fund currently holding approximately $741 million in pledges.

 

Glass-Ceiling Index 2025

The Glass-Ceiling Index 2025, compiled by The Economist, evaluates the role and influence of women in the workforce across 29 OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. This annual index assesses various factors affecting women's professional lives, including labor-force participation, wage gaps, and representation in managerial positions.

• Top 10 Countries for Working Women in 2025: Sweden, Iceland, Finland, Norway, Portugal, New Zealand, France, Spain, Denmark, Australia.
• In 2025, Sweden reclaimed the top position, surpassing Iceland, which had led for the previous two years. The Nordic countries—Sweden, Iceland, Finland, and Norway—continue to excel due to comprehensive policies supporting gender equality, such as generous parental leave and high female representation in leadership roles.
• Wage Gap: The average wage gap between men and women remains at 11.4%, indicating persistent income disparities.
• Parliamentary Representation: Women's representation in parliaments increased to an average of 34% across OECD countries. Notably, Japan's representation rose from 10% to 16%, and Britain's from 35% to 41%. In contrast, the United States saw a slight decline to 28.7%.
• Corporate Leadership: Women now occupy 33% of corporate board positions, reflecting gradual progress in corporate gender diversity.
• Labor-Force Participation: Women's labor-force participation increased to 66.6%, up from 65.8% the previous year. However, this remains lower than the male participation rate of 81%.

Significant Movements:

• New Zealand: Achieved substantial progress, moving up eight places to rank sixth.
• South Korea: Improved its position for the first time in 11 years, now ranking 28th.
• United States and Britain: Both countries advanced in the rankings, attributed partly to increased female representation in corporate leadership.
• Japan, Turkey, and South Korea remain at the lower end of the index, primarily due to entrenched societal norms and significant wage gaps. These countries report low percentages of women in management (below 17%), parliamentary roles (less than 20%), and corporate boards (under 21%). 

Global Terrorism Index 2025

In the News: The Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2025, published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), provides a comprehensive analysis of global terrorism trends, assessing the impact of terrorism across 163 countries.

• Global Trends: In 2024, the number of countries experiencing terrorist incidents increased from 58 to 66, the highest since 2018. Overall deaths from terrorism fell to 7,555, marking a 13% decline from the previous year. The number of terrorist attacks dropped by 3% to 3,492 incidents. However, 45 countries saw deteriorations in their terrorism scores, while 34 experienced improvements.
• Sahel Region: The Sahel region has become the global epicenter of terrorism, accounting for over 50% of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide. Terrorism-related deaths in the region have increased nearly tenfold since 2019. Weak governance, ethnic tensions, and ecological degradation have fueled the rise of terrorist activity, with groups like Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) expanding into coastal West Africa.
• Sub-Saharan Africa: Sub-Saharan Africa has recorded the highest number of terrorism-related deaths globally for the past eight years. The region, along with the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia, accounted for 95% of all terrorism-related deaths in 2024. Nigeria saw a decline in terrorist attacks but still recorded 565 fatalities, with Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWA) remaining active.
• Pakistan and Afghanistan: Pakistan witnessed a 45% increase in terrorism deaths, the largest year-on-year rise in over a decade. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) were the main drivers of violence. In Afghanistan, terrorism-related deaths declined by 12%, but attacks increased by 20%, with Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISK) continuing to pose a severe threat. 

Exercise Khanjar-XII

In the News: Exercise Khanjar-XII is the 12th edition of the joint military exercise between the special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan, conducted from March 10 to March 23, 2025, in Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.

Background:

• Inception: Initiated in 2011, Exercise Khanjar has evolved into an annual training event, reflecting the growing defence cooperation between India and Kyrgyzstan. The exercises are held alternately in both countries, with the previous edition, Khanjar-XI, conducted in India in January 2024.

Participating Units:

• India: Troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), renowned for their expertise in counter-terrorism and high-altitude warfare.
• Kyrgyzstan: Personnel from the Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade, specializing in special operations and mountain warfare.