Daily Current Affairs- 30th March 2025

Daily Current Affairs 30th March 2025

Rising Mumps Cases and India’s Universal Immunisation Programme

In the News: A sharp resurgence in mumps cases across Indian states, especially Kerala and Tamil Nadu, has reignited debate on whether India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) should include the mumps vaccine.

Key Facts and Developments:

• Kerala Spike: In 2024, mumps cases in Kerala jumped from an average of 2,500 annually to 74,907. As of March 25, 2025, 16,504 cases have been reported, with over 4,000 this month alone.
• Public Health Impact: Over 85 schools and multiple tribal hostels in Kerala were closed temporarily due to outbreaks in 2024.
• Understanding Mumps: Mumps is an airborne, viral infection primarily affecting children and adolescents, causing fever and painful swelling of salivary glands. Though generally self-limiting, it can cause complications such as:
  • Orchitis in males (inflammation of testicles)
  • Oophoritis in females (inflammation of ovaries)
  • Aseptic meningitis, encephalitis, and sensorineural deafness
  • Long-term fertility issues are suspected but not well documented.

Current Immunisation Landscape in India:

• The UIP, one of the largest public health initiatives globally, offers free vaccines against 12 preventable diseases to children and pregnant women.
• As of 2017, the Measles-Rubella (MR) vaccine is part of the UIP; however, the mumps component remains excluded.
• The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends the Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) vaccine in its immunisation schedule, which is followed by many private healthcare providers. 

AFSPA extended in parts of Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal

In the News: On March 30, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) for an additional six months in specific regions of Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, citing ongoing security concerns.

Manipur:

• Areas Covered: AFSPA now applies to the entire state, excluding jurisdictions under 13 police stations in the districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, and Kakching.
• Background: The decision follows a review of the security situation amid ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which have resulted in over 260 fatalities since May 2023.

Nagaland: The Act has been extended to eight districts—Dimapur, Niuland, Chumoukedima, Mon, Kiphire, Noklak, Phek, and Peren—and specific police station areas in Kohima, Mokokchung, Longleng, Wokha, and Zunheboto districts.

Arunachal Pradesh: AFSPA has been extended in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts, as well as three police station areas—Namsai, Mahadevpur, and Chowkham—in the Namsai district bordering Assam. 

Key Provisions of AFSPA:

1. Declaration of Disturbed Areas: The Act empowers the Governor of a State or the Central Government to declare any area within a state as "disturbed" if it is deemed necessary to maintain public order.
2. Special Powers to Armed Forces Personnel:
   • Use of Force: Authorized personnel can use force, including opening fire, if they believe it is necessary for maintaining public order, provided due warning is given.
   • Arrest Without Warrant: They can arrest individuals without a warrant based on reasonable suspicion of involvement in cognizable offenses.
   • Search and Seizure: The Act permits searches without warrants and the seizure of suspected arms, ammunition, or explosive substances.
3. Legal Immunity: Security personnel acting under AFSPA are granted immunity from prosecution, suit, or other legal proceedings for actions undertaken under the Act, unless sanctioned by the Central Government 

Israel’s Netanyahu to visit Hungary, defying ICC arrest warrant

In the News: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Hungary from April 2 to April 6, 2025, despite an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in November 2024 for alleged war crimes in Gaza. 

• Background on the ICC Arrest Warrant: The ICC issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza conflict. This marked the first time leaders of a Western-aligned democracy faced such charges from the ICC.
• Hungary's Position: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán extended the invitation to Netanyahu shortly after the ICC's announcement, stating that Hungary would not enforce the warrant. Although Hungary is a signatory to the Rome Statute, Orbán has frequently clashed with the European Union over adherence to democratic standards and has expressed support for Netanyahu.
• International Reactions: The international community remains divided over the ICC's actions. While some countries have expressed support for the court's independence, others, including the United States, have rejected its jurisdiction in this matter.
• Implications of the Visit: Netanyahu's visit to Hungary underscores the complexities of international law enforcement and the varying degrees of compliance among nations. It also highlights the geopolitical alliances and tensions that influence diplomatic engagements, especially concerning leaders facing international legal challenges. 

Tsunami warning issued as 7.1 earthquake hits island country of Tonga

In the News: On March 30, 2025, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the island nation of Tonga, prompting initial tsunami warnings.

Earthquake Details:

• Magnitude and Location: The earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.1 and occurred approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles) northeast of Tonga's main island, Tongatapu.
• Depth: The seismic event had a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles) beneath the ocean floor.

Tsunami Warnings and Advisories:

• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued alerts, cautioning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 kilometers (185 miles) of the earthquake's epicenter.
• Residents, particularly in low-lying coastal areas, were advised to evacuate to higher ground or move inland as a precautionary measure.

Subsequent Developments:

• Shortly after the initial warnings, the tsunami advisories were lifted as assessments indicated no significant tsunami threat.
• A secondary earthquake, measuring magnitude 6.1, occurred in the same region hours later, though it did not prompt additional tsunami warnings.

Impact and Response:

• As of now, there are no immediate reports of damage or casualties resulting from the earthquakes.
• Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged residents to remain vigilant and follow any further instructions from local officials.

Geological Context: Tonga is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for frequent seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements. 

Pro-Monarchy Protests in Nepal

In the News: On March 28, 2025, pro-monarchy protests in Kathmandu, Nepal, escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police forces, resulting in two fatalities and numerous injuries.

Incident Overview:

• Fatalities and Injuries: Two individuals, including a television cameraman, lost their lives during the confrontations. Additionally, at least 112 people were injured, comprising 77 security personnel.
• Protest Dynamics: Thousands of supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah gathered near Kathmandu's eastern edge, demanding the restoration of Nepal's monarchy and the reinstatement of Hinduism as the state religion. The initially peaceful rally turned violent when some protesters breached police barricades, leading to the use of tear gas, water cannons, and batons by law enforcement.

Government Response:

• Curfew Imposition: In reaction to the escalating violence, authorities imposed a curfew in parts of Kathmandu to restore order and prevent further clashes.
• Arrests: Over 100 protesters, including prominent pro-monarchy leaders, were detained on charges of vandalism, arson, and looting.

Background Context:

• Abolition of Monarchy: Nepal's monarchy was abolished in 2008 following a peace agreement that ended a decade-long Maoist insurgency. Since then, the country has experienced political instability, with 14 different governments, hindering economic progress and leading to public dissatisfaction.
• Resurgence of Pro-Monarchy Sentiment: Growing frustration over perceived governmental corruption and ineffective governance has fueled a resurgence in pro-monarchy movements, with supporters advocating for the return of the constitutional monarchy and the designation of Nepal as a Hindu state. 

World’s largest ‘exporter’ of adopted children: Revelations from South Korea’s fact-finding commission

In the News: South Korea has long been recognized as the world's largest source of international adoptees, with approximately 200,000 children sent abroad since the end of the Korean War. A recent investigation by South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission has unveiled significant irregularities and human rights violations within the country's foreign adoption practices.

Key Findings:

• Government Responsibility: The commission determined that the South Korean government facilitated a foreign adoption program fraught with fraud and abuse, primarily aiming to reduce welfare costs. Private agencies were found to have manipulated children's backgrounds, often falsely documenting them as orphans to expedite international adoptions.
• Human Rights Violations: Between 1964 and 1999, adoption agencies committed numerous human rights violations, including falsifying documents, misrepresenting children's identities, and, in some instances, sending different infants when the original child died before departure. Out of 367 adoptee cases reviewed, at least 56 instances of violations were identified.
• Exploitation of Unwed Mothers: The commission uncovered that hospitals, maternity wards, and adoption agencies colluded to pressure unwed mothers into relinquishing their children for adoption. Many mothers were coerced or misled, leading to a systemic pattern of forced adoptions.
• Official Apology: The commission has urged the South Korean government to issue a formal apology to the affected adoptees and their families.
• Restoration of Identities: Efforts should be made to restore the true identities of adoptees whose records were falsified, facilitating potential reunions with biological families.
• Policy Reforms: The commission recommends comprehensive investigations into the adoption system, addressing issues such as citizenship gaps among adoptees and ensuring stricter regulations to prevent future abuses.
• Background on the Korean War: The Korean War (1950–1953) was a significant conflict during the early Cold War period, resulting from the division of Korea into two separate governments and ideologies.
• Division of Korea: Post-World War II, Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation and divided along the 38th parallel. The Soviet Union occupied the north, establishing a communist government under Kim Il Sung, while the United States occupied the south, supporting a pro-Western government under Syngman Rhee.

Outbreak of War: On June 25, 1950, North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea. This surprise attack marked the beginning of the Korean War.