Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 11th May 2025

Right to Know: The Wikimedia Case and Key Rights

In the News: On May 9, 2025, the Supreme Court of India overturned a Delhi High Court order that had directed the Wikimedia Foundation to remove a Wikipedia page detailing its legal dispute with Indian news agency ANI. The Supreme Court emphasized the importance of free speech and the public's right to access information, stating that courts must remain open to public scrutiny and debate.

Key Points:

• Background of the Case: In July 2024, ANI filed a defamation lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, alleging that its Wikipedia page described ANI as a "propaganda tool" for the Indian government. ANI claimed this characterization harmed its reputation and sought the removal of the content.
• Delhi High Court's Order: The Delhi High Court ruled in favour of ANI, ordering the Wikimedia Foundation to remove the disputed content and disclose the identities of the editors who made the edits. The court warned that failure to comply could result in Wikipedia being blocked in India.
• Supreme Court's Intervention: The Wikimedia Foundation appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court's order was disproportionate and infringed upon free speech. The Supreme Court quashed the High Court's order, highlighting that such takedown directives could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression. 

Centre Empowers Chief of Army Staff to Mobilize Territorial Army Personnel

In the News: On May 6, 2025, the Government of India authorized the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to call upon officers and enrolled personnel of the Territorial Army (TA) to support and supplement the regular Army. This decision, enacted under Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948, comes amid escalating tensions along India's borders.

Key Details:

• Legal Provision: The empowerment is based on Rule 33 of the Territorial Army Rules, 1948, which allows the COAS to mobilize TA units for essential duties or full embodiment to support the regular Army.
• Deployment Scope: Out of the existing 32 TA Infantry Battalions, 14 have been earmarked for deployment across various Army Commands, including Southern, Eastern, Western, Central, Northern, South Western, Andaman and Nicobar, and the Army Training Command (ARTRAC).
• Financial Considerations: The embodiment of TA units is subject to budgetary provisions. If other ministries request TA deployment, the associated costs will be borne by the requesting ministries, not the Ministry of Defence.
• Duration of Empowerment: The authorization is effective for three years, from February 10, 2025, to February 9, 2028.
• Role of the Territorial Army: The TA serves as a volunteer reserve force, providing support in non-combat roles, internal security, and national emergencies. It allows civilians to serve the nation while maintaining their primary professions. 

Bhutan Launches World’s First Crypto Tourism Payment System

In the News: Bhutan launched the world’s first national-level cryptocurrency tourism payment system, marking a significant milestone in digital finance and tourism. This initiative, a collaboration between the Bhutanese government, Binance Pay, and DK Bank, enables tourists to use cryptocurrencies for a wide range of services throughout their journey in Bhutan.

 Key Points:

• Comprehensive Crypto Integration: Tourists can now pay for flights, visas, accommodations, local transportation, cultural site entries, and even purchases at roadside stalls using cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Binance Coin (BNB), and USD Coin (USDC) via the Binance app.
• Merchant Adoption: Over 100 local merchants, including small vendors in remote areas, have been onboarded to accept crypto payments through QR codes, facilitating a cashless and cardless experience for travelers.
• Real-Time Settlements: DK Bank, Bhutan’s first fully digital bank licensed by the Royal Monetary Authority, handles instant settlement of crypto transactions into the local currency, ensuring seamless and secure payments.
• Economic Inclusion: The system empowers small businesses and rural artisans by providing them access to digital payment infrastructure, promoting financial inclusion and economic growth in underserved areas. 

Ukraine-Russia calls for immediate Ceasefire

In the News: On May 9, 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to engage in direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Turkey, emphasizing the need to "end the bloodbath now." This call for immediate negotiations comes amid ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and international efforts to mediate a ceasefire.

Key Developments:

• Trump's Appeal for Direct Talks: Donald Trump called on Ukraine to accept Russia's proposal for direct negotiations in Turkey, stating that immediate discussions are necessary to halt the ongoing conflict. He emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the continued loss of life and destruction.
• Zelenskyy's Response: In response to Trump's appeal, President Zelenskyy expressed his willingness to meet President Putin in person in Istanbul on May 15, 2025. However, he insisted that a full and unconditional ceasefire must commence on May 12 as a prerequisite for meaningful dialogue.
• Russia's Stance: The Kremlin responded by proposing direct talks without preconditions but did not commit to the ceasefire demanded by Ukraine and its European allies. Russian officials emphasized the need to address the underlying causes of the conflict before agreeing to a ceasefire.
• International Reactions: European leaders, including those from the UK, France, Germany, and Poland, supported Ukraine's call for a ceasefire starting May 12 and warned of additional sanctions against Russia if it failed to comply. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan offered to host the proposed talks in Istanbul. 

Lead Transmutation into Gold at CERN’s LHC

In the News: In May 2025, scientists at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) achieved a remarkable feat by transmuting lead into gold. This modern-day alchemy was accomplished during high-energy collisions, where lead nuclei were accelerated to near-light speeds and made to interact in a way that resulted in the formation of gold nuclei. The experiment, conducted by the ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) collaboration, provides valuable insights into nuclear physics and the processes that can lead to the formation of different elements.

Key Details:

• Transmutation Process: The experiment involved accelerating lead nuclei to 99.999993% the speed of light and directing them to pass close to each other without direct collision. This near-miss interaction generated intense electromagnetic fields, leading to a process called electromagnetic dissociation. In this process, the lead nuclei lost three protons, transforming into gold nuclei, which have three fewer protons than lead.
• Detection and Measurement: The ALICE experiment utilized Zero Degree Calorimeters (ZDCs) to detect and measure the outcomes of these interactions. These detectors were able to identify the specific instances where gold nuclei were formed, allowing scientists to quantify the occurrence of this rare transmutation.
• Quantity Produced: During the LHC's second run (2015–2018), approximately 86 billion gold nuclei were created, amounting to about 29 picograms (29 trillionths of a gram). In the subsequent third run, the production rate increased to up to 89,000 gold nuclei per second due to higher collision energies.
• Stability of Gold Nuclei: The gold nuclei produced were highly unstable and existed only for a fraction of a second before decaying or colliding with the beam pipe, resulting in their disintegration into other particles.