Daily Current Affairs- 27th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 27th May 2025

Former CJI Khehar, Dancer Shobana Chandrakumar, Actor Anant Nag Among Padma Awardees

In the News: On May 27, 2025, President Droupadi Murmu conferred the prestigious Padma Awards upon 139 distinguished individuals during a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among the honourees were former Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, renowned dancer and actress Shobana Chandrakumar, and veteran actor Anant Nag. These awards recognize exceptional contributions across various fields, including public affairs, arts, and social service.

Padma Awards: The Padma Awards are among India's highest civilian honours, instituted in 1954 to acknowledge exceptional contributions across various fields such as art, literature, education, sports, medicine, social service, science and engineering, public affairs, and civil services. They are announced annually on Republic Day (January 26) and presented by the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Categories of Padma Awards

1. Padma Vibhushan: Awarded for "exceptional and distinguished service."
2. Padma Bhushan: Conferred for "distinguished service of a high order."
3. Padma Shri: Given for "distinguished service."

These awards are open to all individuals, regardless of race, occupation, position, or gender. However, government servants, including those working with public sector undertakings, are generally not eligible, except for doctors and scientists.

History and Evolution

• 1954: The Government of India established two civilian awards: the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, which initially had three classes: Pahela Varg (Class I), Dusra Varg (Class II), and Tisra Varg (Class III).
• 1955: These classes were reclassified as:
  • Padma Vibhushan (Class I)
  • Padma Bhushan (Class II)
  • Padma Shri (Class III)
• Suspensions:
  • 1978–1980: The awards were suspended by the Morarji Desai government, citing that they did not conform with Article 18 of the Indian Constitution, which prohibits titles.
  • 1992–1995: Suspended again due to litigation questioning their constitutional validity.
  • 1995: The Supreme Court upheld the validity of the awards, stating they are not titles under Article 18.
• 2015: The nomination process was made more inclusive, allowing any Indian citizen to nominate individuals online, promoting transparency and wider participation. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025

In the News: On May 22, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) with a 215–214 vote. This extensive legislative package, championed by President Donald Trump, aims to extend and expand upon the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, where it is expected to undergo further scrutiny and potential revisions.

Tax Reforms

• Extension of 2017 Tax Cuts: The bill seeks to make permanent the individual and corporate tax cuts introduced in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
• Tax Exemptions: Introduces temporary exemptions (through 2028) on taxes for tips, overtime pay, and car loan interest for U.S.-made vehicles.
• Child Tax Credit: Increases the child tax credit to $2,500 through 2028, reverting to $2,000 thereafter.
• State and Local Tax (SALT) Deduction: Raises the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for married couples earning up to $500,000.
• Estate and Gift Tax: Proposes to permanently increase the unified credit for estate and gift taxes from $10 million to $15 million per individual, indexed for inflation.

Social Programs and Healthcare

• Medicaid: Imposes stricter work requirements by 2026 and increases verification processes, potentially affecting millions of beneficiaries.
• SNAP (Food Assistance): Requires states to contribute more to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and adds work requirements for certain enrollees.
• Gender-Affirming Care: Bans Medicaid and CHIP from covering gender-affirming treatments for individuals of all ages.
• Planned Parenthood: Cuts Medicaid funding to clinics that provide abortion services.

Immigration and Border Security

• Funding Allocation: Allocates $46.5 billion to resume construction of the U.S.-Mexico border wall and enhances border security measures.
• Deportation Efforts: Provides additional funds for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to increase deportation capacities.

Fiscal Impact

• National Debt: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would add $3.8 trillion to the federal debt over the next decade.
• Debt Ceiling: Raises the federal debt ceiling by $4 trillion to prevent a default.
• Criticism: Critics label the bill as the largest upward transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich in U.S. history, dubbing it the "Reverse Robin Hood Bill." 

France’s National Assembly Adopts Long-Debated Bill Legalizing End-of-Life Options

In the News: On May 27, 2025, France's National Assembly approved a landmark bill permitting assisted dying for adults with incurable illnesses. The legislation passed with 305 votes in favor and 199 against, marking a significant step in the long-debated issue of end-of-life options. The bill now proceeds to the Senate, where further deliberations are expected.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age & Residency: Patients must be over 18 and be French citizens or residents.
• Medical Condition: Must have a grave and incurable illness at an advanced or terminal stage, causing intolerable and untreatable pain.
• Mental Competence: Patients must be capable of making an informed and voluntary request.
• Exclusions: Individuals with severe psychiatric conditions and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are not eligible.

Procedure

• Request Process: The patient initiates the request for lethal medication and must confirm it after a reflection period.
• Medical Evaluation: A team of medical professionals must confirm the patient's condition and consent.
• Administration: If approved, a doctor provides a prescription for the lethal medication, which the patient can take at home, in a nursing home, or a healthcare facility. If the patient is physically unable, a doctor or nurse may assist.

Legislative Journey

• Senate Review: The bill now moves to the Senate, where the conservative majority could seek amendments. A definitive vote may take months, given France's legislative process.
• Public Support: A 2023 report indicated that most French citizens back legalizing end-of-life options, with opinion polls showing growing support over the past 20 years. 

 

Nine-Month-Old Receives World's First Successful Base Editing Therapy

In the News: In a groundbreaking medical achievement, a nine-month-old infant named KJ Muldoon became the first person to receive a personalized base editing therapy to treat a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder. Diagnosed shortly after birth with severe carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency—a condition that impairs the body's ability to eliminate ammonia—KJ faced a grim prognosis, with traditional treatments offering limited hope. Collaborative efforts by researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and the University of Pennsylvania led to the development of a bespoke gene-editing therapy using CRISPR-based base editing technology. Administered over three doses beginning in February 2025, the treatment has shown promising results, with KJ now thriving and exhibiting significant health improvements.

The Patient: KJ Muldoon

• Diagnosis: Severe CPS1 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder affecting approximately 1 in 1.3 million individuals.
• Symptoms: Inability to convert ammonia into urea, leading to toxic ammonia buildup in the blood.
• Initial Prognosis: High risk of fatality or severe developmental delays; liver transplant was the only existing long-term treatment option.

The Therapy: Personalized Base Editing

• Technology Used: CRISPR-based base editing, a precise gene-editing technique that corrects single-letter mutations without cutting the DNA strand.
• Customization: The therapy was tailored specifically to correct KJ's unique genetic mutation responsible for CPS1 deficiency.
• Development Timeline: Remarkably developed within six months from diagnosis to administration.

Treatment Administration and Outcomes

• Delivery Method: The gene-editing components were delivered directly to KJ's liver cells using lipid nanoparticles.
• Dosage: KJ received three escalating doses of the therapy starting in February 2025.
• Results: Significant reduction in ammonia levels, improved protein tolerance, decreased medication dependency, and enhanced resilience to illnesses. 

Arsenal Triumphs Over Barcelona to Win Women’s Champions League 2025

In the News: Arsenal Women secured a historic 1–0 victory over defending champions Barcelona in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final on May 24, 2025, at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. This triumph marked Arsenal’s second European title and their first since 2007, ending an 18-year wait .

Stina Blackstenius scored the decisive goal in the 75th minute, assisted by Beth Mead. The win was celebrated by over 10,000 fans in North London, highlighting the club's unity and the success of its long-term development strategy .

Key Pointers

Match Highlights

• Final Score: Arsenal 1–0 Barcelona
• Winning Goal: Stina Blackstenius scored in the 75th minute, assisted by Beth Mead .
• Venue: Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon
• Attendance: 38,356 spectators .

Tactical Masterclass

• Defensive Prowess: Leah Williamson led a resilient defense, earning a 9/10 rating for her performance .
• Midfield Control: Frida Maanum's tireless effort in midfield disrupted Barcelona's rhythm.
• Strategic Substitutions: Manager Renée Slegers' introduction of Beth Mead and Stina Blackstenius proved decisive.

Barcelona's Challenge

• Missed Opportunities: Claudia Pina hit the crossbar in the second half, and other key players like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas were effectively neutralized by Arsenal's defense .
• End of Reign: Barcelona's defeat ended their pursuit of a third consecutive Champions League title. 

UN Declares 25th May as World Football Day

In the News: On May 7, 2024, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted Resolution A/RES/78/281, officially designating May 25 as World Football Day. This annual observance celebrates the centenary of the first international football tournament held during the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, marking a significant milestone in the sport's global history .

The resolution was introduced by Libya's UN Ambassador, Taher El-Sonni, and co-sponsored by over 160 member states, including Bahrain and Tajikistan. It acknowledges football's unparalleled ability to transcend cultural, national, and socio-economic boundaries, promoting peace, development, and unity worldwide.

• Historical Context: May 25, 1924, marks the commencement of the first international football tournament during the Paris Summer Olympics, featuring teams from various regions, laying the foundation for football's global appeal .
• Promotion of Peace and Unity: The day aims to harness football's universal language to foster mutual understanding, tolerance, and solidarity among diverse populations .
• Support for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Aligning with the UN's SDGs, the observance encourages leveraging football to advance gender equality, social inclusion, and community development .
• FIFA World Football Week: In 2025, FIFA inaugurated the first World Football Week from May 21 to 25, encompassing various events and activities to celebrate the sport's impact and promote its values .
• UN Headquarters Event: A commemorative event was held at the UN General Assembly Hall in New York on May 22, 2025, featuring speeches from global football leaders and UN officials, emphasizing football's role in uniting people and promoting peace . 

India to Host Khelo India Northeast Games Annually

In the News: On May 24, 2025, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that India will host the Khelo India Northeast Games annually, rotating among the eight northeastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. This initiative aims to harness the region's rich sporting potential and provide a platform to showcase traditional games.

Key Pointers

Objectives of the Initiative

• Talent Identification and Development: The annual games will serve as a platform to scout and nurture sporting talent in the Northeast, integrating athletes into national training programs.
• Promotion of Traditional Sports: The event will highlight indigenous games, preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region.
• Infrastructure Enhancement: The games are expected to boost sports infrastructure development across the northeastern states, fostering economic growth and community engagement.

Supporting Initiatives

• National Sports Repository System (NSRS): A platform where individuals can upload videos of athletes' performances. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) will assess these and potentially induct promising talents into Khelo India Centres or National Centres of Excellence.
• ASMITA League: A flagship scheme under Khelo India to promote female participation in sports. In the previous year, approximately 13,000 girls from the Northeast competed across various disciplines.
• Previous Events: The Northeast region successfully hosted the Khelo India University Games Ashtalakshmi in 2023, demonstrating its capability to organize large-scale national sporting events.