Daily Current Affairs- 11th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 11th March 2025

Bills of Lading Bill, 2025

In the News: On March 10, 2025, the Lok Sabha passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, modernizing India's colonial-era shipping laws to align with contemporary international standards.

• Previous Legislation: The Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, a brief three-section act, primarily governed the transfer of rights and confirmation that goods were loaded onto a vessel.

Key Features of the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025:

• Simplification: Updates archaic language to make the law more accessible.
• Reorganization: Structures provisions logically without altering their essence.
• Government Empowerment: Grants the Central Government authority to issue directions for effective implementation.
• Repeal of Colonial Legacy: Eliminates outdated colonial provisions to reflect India's modern identity.

Significance of the Bill:

• Legal Modernization: Replaces a 169-year-old law to suit contemporary maritime practices.
• Business Facilitation: Simplifies procedures, promoting efficiency in maritime trade.
• Global Alignment: Ensures India's shipping laws are in sync with international standards, boosting global trade relations.

Statements from Officials: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, remarked that the passing of the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, is a significant step in fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of modernizing India's legal framework, making it more relevant, modern, accessible, and free from colonial legacies that have long hindered progress. 

Mauritius confers its highest honour ‘Order of the Star and Key of Indian Ocean’ on PM Modi

On March 11, 2025, during a special event at the Trianon Convention Centre in Port Louis, Mauritius, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was announced as the recipient of Mauritius's highest civilian honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK).

Significance of the Award:

• First Indian Honoree: PM Modi is the first Indian to receive this prestigious award, highlighting the deep-rooted ties between India and Mauritius.
• Historical Context: Since Mauritius became a republic on March 12, 1992, only five foreign dignitaries have been honored with the GCSK, including Nelson Mandela in 1998.

PM Modi's Response:

Expressing gratitude, Prime Minister Modi stated, "I humbly accept this decision with great respect. It is an honor for the historic bond between India and Mauritius."

Strengthening Bilateral Relations:

• Chief Guest at National Day: PM Modi's visit coincided with Mauritius's National Day celebrations on March 12, 2025, where he participated as the chief guest, underscoring the strong diplomatic and cultural ties between the two nations.
• Development Initiatives: During his visit, PM Modi and Mauritian Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam inaugurated several India-funded projects, including the Civil Services building, constructed at a cost of approximately USD 4.75 million.

 Train Hijack by Balochistan Liberation Army

In the News: On March 11, 2025, the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) hijacked the Jaffar Express train in Pakistan's Balochistan province, taking numerous passengers hostage and escalating concerns about the ongoing Baloch insurgency.

• Incident Overview: The Jaffar Express, carrying approximately 500 passengers from Quetta to Peshawar, was attacked in the Bolan district. Militants detonated explosives on the tracks and opened fire, halting the train in a tunnel.
• Hostage Situation: The BLA claimed responsibility, stating they had taken 182 hostages, including military personnel, and threatened to execute them if military operations continued.
• Casualties: Reports indicate at least 10 people were killed during the attack.
• Historical Context: The Baloch insurgency has persisted for decades, with separatist groups like the BLA advocating for greater autonomy and control over Balochistan's resources. The region has experienced multiple uprisings since Pakistan's independence.
• Recent Escalations: The BLA has intensified attacks in recent years, targeting infrastructure, security forces, and projects associated with foreign investments, notably those linked to China's Belt and Road Initiative. 

Background on the Baloch Insurgency:

• The Baloch insurgency is a separatist movement seeking greater autonomy or independence for Balochistan, a resource-rich yet underdeveloped province in southwestern Pakistan.
• The BLA, formed in 2000, is one of the most prominent militant groups involved, frequently targeting Pakistani security forces and infrastructure. The insurgency is fueled by grievances over resource exploitation, political marginalization, and human rights abuses. 

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Arrested on ICC’s Warrant

In the News: Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was arrested on March 11, 2025, upon his return to Manila from Hong Kong, following an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign.

Background:

• Anti-Drug Campaign: During Duterte's presidency (2016–2022), his administration launched a controversial war on drugs, resulting in thousands of deaths. Estimates of fatalities range from 6,200 to 30,000, with numerous allegations of extrajudicial killings.
• ICC Investigation: In 2018, the ICC initiated a preliminary examination into the alleged crimes. Duterte responded by withdrawing the Philippines from the ICC in 2019, asserting that the court lacked jurisdiction. Despite the withdrawal, the ICC maintained its authority to investigate crimes committed while the Philippines was a member.

Arrest Details:

• Detention: Duterte was detained at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport upon arrival from Hong Kong. The arrest was executed by Philippine authorities in coordination with Interpol, based on the ICC's warrant.
• Charges: The ICC has charged Duterte with crimes against humanity, specifically murder, related to the thousands of deaths during his anti-drug campaign. 

India emerges as Second largest Arms Importer: SIPRI

In the News: According to the latest report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India has become the world's second-largest arms importer, following Ukraine, during the period 2020–2024.

Key Highlights:

• India's Arms Imports: India accounted for 8.3% of global arms imports between 2020 and 2024. This marks a 9.3% decrease compared to the period 2015–2019, indicating a slight reduction in India's arms procurement.
• Primary Suppliers:
  • Russia: Remained the largest supplier of arms to India, providing 36% of India's total imports in 2020–2024. This is a significant decrease from previous years, where Russia's share was 55% in 2015–2019 and 72% in 2010–2014.
  • France: Emerging as a key supplier, France accounted for 28% of its total arms exports to India during this period.
• Shift Towards Western Suppliers: India is gradually diversifying its arms procurement strategy, moving towards Western suppliers such as France, Israel, and the United States, reducing its historical dependence on Russian weaponry. 

Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan becomes First Indian to Receive Prestigious Ramsar Award

In the News: Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan, co-founder of Chennai-based Care Earth Trust, has become the first Indian to receive the prestigious Ramsar Award for 'Wetland Wise Use', recognizing her exceptional contributions to sustainable wetland management.

About the Ramsar Award:

• Purpose: Established under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the award honors individuals and organizations dedicated to the conservation and wise use of wetlands globally.
• Categories: The awards are presented in three categories: Fostering international collaboration for wetlands , Wise use of wetlands Wetland protection

Dr. Jayshree Vencatesan's Contributions:

• Professional Background: As an acclaimed scientist, Dr. Vencatesan challenges conventional boundaries of science, advocating for the inclusion of diverse knowledge systems in environmental research.
• Care Earth Trust: Co-founded in 2000, this Chennai-based organization focuses on biodiversity conservation through research, advocacy, and capacity building.
• Pallikaranai Marsh Conservation: Vencatesan and her all-women research team were the first to document the biodiversity and ecological significance of the Pallikaranai Marsh in Chennai, highlighting its role in flood mitigation and as a habitat for over 337 species of flora and fauna.
• Mentorship: Beyond her conservation efforts, she mentors the next generation of female conservationists, promoting women's leadership in environmental conservation.

World Air Quality Report 2024

In the News: The World Air Quality Report 2024, published by IQAir, reveals that only seven countries met the World Health Organization's (WHO) air quality guidelines in 2024, highlighting the global challenge of air pollution.

Key Findings:

• Countries Meeting WHO Standards: Australia, New Zealand, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland were the only nations to achieve air quality levels within the WHO's recommended PM2.5 threshold of 5 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m³).
• Most Polluted Countries: Chad and Bangladesh recorded the highest pollution levels, with average PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 15 times the WHO guidelines. Other countries with significant pollution include Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India.
• According to the World Air Quality Report 2024, India ranks as the fifth most polluted country, a slight improvement from third place in 2023.
• City-Level Pollution: India accounted for 13 of the top 20 most polluted cities globally. Byrnihat, located in India's northeast, registered the highest average PM2.5 level at 128 µg/m³. New Delhi is the most Polluted Capital City.
• Health Implications: Exposure to high levels of PM2.5 is associated with severe health issues, including respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer. The WHO estimates that air pollution contributes to approximately 7 million premature deaths annually.
• Positive Developments: Despite the overall concerning trends, there has been progress in certain regions. The percentage of cities meeting the WHO's PM2.5 standards increased from 9% in 2023 to 17% in 2024.