Daily Current Affairs- 30th May 2025

Daily Current Affairs- 30th May 2025

Aizawl Becomes 4th Northeast Capital Linked to National Railway Network

In the News: On May 1, 2025, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) successfully conducted a trial run on the Bairabi–Sairang railway line, effectively connecting Mizoram's capital, Aizawl, to India's national railway network. This development marks Aizawl as the fourth northeastern capital, after Guwahati (Assam), Agartala (Tripura), and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh), to achieve such connectivity.

Key Developments:

Project Overview:

• Route Details: The Bairabi–Sairang railway line spans 51.38 km, linking Bairabi in Kolasib district to Sairang, a town approximately 20 km from Aizawl.
• Financials: The project's revised sanctioned cost stands at ₹5,021.45 crore.
• Progress: As of May 2025, the project has achieved 94.52% physical completion and 97.13% financial progress.

Engineering Highlights:

• Challenging Terrain: Constructed through Mizoram's mountainous landscape, the project includes:
  • 48 tunnels totaling 12.85 km in length.
  • 55 major bridges and 87 minor bridges.
  • 5 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and 6 Road Under Bridges (RUBs).
• Notable Structure: Bridge No. 196 stands at 104 meters, surpassing Delhi's Qutub Minar by 32 meters, making it one of the tallest railway bridges in the region.

Operational Milestones:

• Trial Run: The NFR conducted a successful trial run on May 1, 2025.
• Inauguration: The formal inauguration is anticipated post-June 17, 2025, following the final inspection by the Commission of Railway Safety (CRS). 

India Notifies Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025

In the News: On May 27, 2025, the Government of India officially notified the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Rules, 2025, under the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023. This significant development aims to enhance jointness and operational efficiency among the Indian Armed Forces by empowering commanders of inter-service organisations with comprehensive administrative and disciplinary authority over personnel from all three services.

Key Developments:

Background and Legislative Journey:

• Enactment of the Act: The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023, was passed by both Houses of Parliament during the Monsoon Session of 2023 and received Presidential assent on August 15, 2023.
• Commencement: The Act came into force on May 10, 2024, as per the Gazette Notification dated May 8, 2024.
• Notification of Rules: The subordinate rules under Section 11 of the Act were notified on May 27, 2025, thereby making the Act fully operational.

Empowerment of Commanders:

• Unified Command Authority: The Rules grant Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) full administrative and disciplinary powers over all service personnel—Army, Navy, and Air Force—serving under their command, irrespective of their parent service.
• Maintenance of Discipline: This empowerment ensures effective maintenance of discipline and administration within ISOs without altering the unique service conditions applicable to each branch of the Armed Forces.

Structural and Operational Enhancements:

• Succession Protocols: The Rules establish clear procedures for succession in command positions. In the absence of a Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command, an officiating officer will be designated through official orders. In emergencies without prior orders, the next higher formation will appoint a temporary substitute.
• Avoidance of Duplication: By centralizing disciplinary authority within ISOs, the Rules aim to expedite the disposal of disciplinary cases and prevent duplication of proceedings, thereby enhancing administrative efficiency. 

US Proposes 60-Day Gaza Ceasefire Deal: Israel Accepts, Hamas Reviewing

In the News: On May 30, 2025, the United States proposed a 60-day ceasefire plan for Gaza, aiming to halt hostilities between Israel and Hamas. The plan includes a hostage-prisoner exchange, humanitarian aid delivery, and a roadmap toward a permanent ceasefire. Israel has accepted the proposal, while Hamas is currently reviewing it.

Ceasefire Proposal Overview:

• Duration: The proposal outlines a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
• Hostage-Prisoner Exchange: Hamas would release 28 Israeli hostages (10 alive and 18 deceased) in the first week. In return, Israel would release 1,236 Palestinian prisoners and the remains of 180 deceased Palestinians.
• Humanitarian Aid: Upon Hamas's approval, humanitarian aid would be delivered to Gaza by the United Nations, the Red Crescent, and other agreed channels.
• Guarantees: The plan is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and mediators Egypt and Qatar.

Israel's Position:

• Acceptance: Israel has accepted the U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly informed families of hostages held in Gaza about the acceptance.
• Military Operations: Israel would cease all military operations in Gaza as soon as the truce takes effect and would redeploy its troops in stages.

Hamas's Response:

• Reviewing the Proposal: Hamas is conducting a "thorough and responsible review" of the proposal.
• Criticism: Hamas officials have criticized the proposal for failing to meet key demands, including a complete end to hostilities and an Israeli troop withdrawal. They argue that the plan perpetuates occupation and policies of killing and starvation. 

U.S. Court Strikes Down Trump's Tariffs Imposed Under Emergency Powers

In the News: On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled that former President Donald Trump exceeded his legal authority by imposing sweeping tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The court determined that the IEEPA does not grant the president the power to unilaterally impose such broad tariffs, leading to the invalidation of the "Liberation Day" tariffs announced in April 2025.

Court Ruling Details:

• Case Overview: The case, O.S. Selections, Inc. v. United States, was brought by small businesses and 12 U.S. states, including Oregon, challenging the legality of the tariffs imposed under the IEEPA.
• Court's Decision: A three-judge panel unanimously ruled that the IEEPA does not authorize the president to impose tariffs as a means to address trade deficits or other economic concerns, stating that such actions require congressional approval.
• Immediate Impact: The court ordered the cessation of the tariffs within 10 days, affecting duties on a wide range of imports from countries including China, Mexico, and Canada.

Appeals and Temporary Reinstatement:

• Appeals Court Action: On May 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit granted a temporary stay on the lower court's decision, allowing the tariffs to remain in effect while the appeal is considered.
• Next Steps: The appeals court has set deadlines for further briefs, with plaintiffs to respond by June 5 and the government's reply due by June 9, 2025.

Legal and Political Implications:

• Separation of Powers: The ruling emphasizes the constitutional principle that the power to impose tariffs lies with Congress, not the executive branch, challenging the expansive use of emergency powers for trade policy.
• Legislative Response: In response to concerns over executive overreach, bipartisan legislation known as the Trade Review Act of 2025 has been introduced, aiming to require congressional approval for tariffs imposed under emergency powers. 

Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) 2024

In the News: On May 29, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the Indian Space Situational Assessment Report (ISSAR) for 2024. This comprehensive report, compiled by ISRO's System for Safe and Sustainable Space Operations Management (IS4OM), provides insights into global and Indian space activities, emphasizing the growing challenges of space debris and the importance of space situational awareness (SSA).

Global Space Activity:

• Launch Statistics: In 2024, there were 261 global launch attempts, with 254 successes, adding 2,578 operational satellites and a total of 2,963 objects to Earth's orbit. This marks a slight decrease from 2023's 3,135 objects but still represents significant orbital activity.
• Space Debris Increase: Three major on-orbit breakup events occurred, notably a Long March rocket stage fragmentation, contributing approximately 702 new debris objects. By the end of 2024, the total number of space debris objects had risen to 3,665.
• Atmospheric Re-entries: A record 2,095 catalogued objects re-entered Earth's atmosphere in 2024, including 335 Starlink satellites deliberately deorbited. Solar activity, approaching the peak of Solar Cycle 25, accelerated orbital decay, contributing to this high re-entry rate.

Indian Space Operations:

• Satellite Deployments: India launched a total of 136 spacecraft, including those from private operators and academic institutions. As of December 31, 2024, the Government of India operated 22 satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 31 in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO). Notable missions like Chandrayaan-2 Orbiter and Aditya-L1 continued their operations successfully.
• Collision Avoidance Measures: ISRO performed 10 Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) in 2024—six in LEO and four in GEO—to protect its satellites from potential collisions. Additionally, an orbit maintenance manoeuvre for Chandrayaan-2 was advanced to avoid conjunction with NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
• Close Approach Alerts: ISRO received over 53,000 close approach alerts in 2024 from the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC). Improved analysis methodologies allowed many potential collisions to be mitigated through routine orbit adjustments, reducing the need for exclusive CAMs.

Space Traffic Management and SSA Initiatives:

• Project NETRA: ISRO's Project NETRA (Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis) continues to enhance India's SSA capabilities. The project integrates phased-array radars, optical telescopes, and a control center to monitor and predict orbital debris and near-Earth objects, aiming to protect India's space assets.
• Space Traffic Management (STM): Recognising the increasing congestion in space, ISRO emphasized the need for a robust STM system. The agency advocates for international collaboration to develop frameworks ensuring the safety and sustainability of space operations. 

Cristiano Ronaldo Breaks Barriers with 800 Goals in Club Football

In the News: On May 26, 2025, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first footballer in history to score 800 goals in club football. He achieved this milestone while playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, scoring during a 3–2 defeat against Al-Fateh.

Historic Milestone:

• Cristiano Ronaldo reached his 800th club goal on May 26, 2025, during a Saudi Pro League match where Al-Nassr faced a 3–2 defeat against Al-Fateh.
• At 40 years old, Ronaldo continues to perform at an elite level, demonstrating exceptional longevity in his career.

Club-wise Goal Distribution of Cristiano Ronaldo

• Sporting CP (Portugal): Cristiano Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting CP in the 2002–03 season. He scored a total of 5 goals in 31 appearances across all competitions for the club.
• Manchester United (England): Ronaldo had two stints with Manchester United: from 2003 to 2009 and from 2021 to 2022. During his time at the club, he made 346 appearances and scored 145 goals across all competitions.
• Real Madrid (Spain): Ronaldo played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018. He became the club's all-time leading scorer with 450 goals in 438 appearances across all competitions.
• Juventus (Italy): Ronaldo joined Juventus in 2018 and played until 2021. He scored 101 goals in 134 appearances across all competitions for the club.
• Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia): Ronaldo signed with Al-Nassr in December 2022. As of May 2025, he has scored 99 goals in 111 appearances across all competitions for the club.

Recent Performance:

• In the 2024–25 season, Ronaldo secured the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot for the second consecutive season, netting 25 goals.
• Despite his individual success, Al-Nassr finished third in the league, missing out on the AFC Champions League qualification.