Weekly Affairs 10-16/02/2025

1 .AI Action Summit:

(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

On 10 and 11 February 2025, France will host the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit, gathering at the Grand Palais, Heads of State and Government, leaders of international organizations, CEOs of small and large companies, representatives of academia, non-governmental organizations, artists and members of civil society.

The AI Action Summit is an international gathering focused on the development and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Purpose: To bring together global leaders, including heads of state, industry leaders, academics, and civil society to discuss and address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

  
  

• Key Goals:

  • Foster international cooperation: Encourage collaboration among nations to develop and implement AI policies and regulations.

  • Ensure responsible AI development: Promote ethical and trustworthy AI that benefits humanity and the planet.

  • Address societal impacts: Consider the social, economic, and ethical implications of AI on individuals, communities, and the workforce.

• Format:

  • High-level discussions and debates among world leaders.

  • Presentations and workshops by experts in AI research, development, and policy.

  • Opportunities for networking and collaboration among attendees.

The AI Action Summit is a significant event that aims to shape the future of AI by fostering global dialogue and promoting responsible innovation.

2 .Aero India Expo:(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

Asia's premier aerospace and defense exhibition, will take place from February 10-14 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru.

 Under the theme "The Runway to a Billion Opportunities," this year's event promises to be a showcase of cutting-edge technology, featuring the latest fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and other advanced aerospace systems from both Indian and international manufacturers.

A major highlight will be the presence of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35, a first for the event.

The iDEX Start-up Event will highlight innovations from Indian defense startups, and the India Pavilion will showcase the nation's growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.

It's expected to attract significant global participation, making it a key event for industry professionals, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the future of aerospace and defense.

3 .Namibia’s ‘founding father’ Sam Nujoma dies aged 95:(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)He was a pivotal figure in Namibia’s struggle for independence from South African rule and played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s post-independence identity.

Nujoma was a revered leader who dedicated his life to the liberation and development of Namibia.

Born on May 12, 1929, in Ongandjera, northern Namibia, Nujoma grew up during the era of South African apartheid rule over Namibia (then South West Africa).

In 1960, Nujoma co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), which became the leading movement in the fight for Namibia’s independence.

Rocket launches are harmful to the environment.

 (General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)

 Air Pollution: Rocket launches release pollutants like black carbon (soot) and other trace gases into the upper atmosphere. These can contribute to ozone depletion and alter the Earth's thermal balance.

  Greenhouse Gases: While some rockets use cleaner fuels like liquid hydrogen, the production of these fuels can still generate significant carbon emissions. Additionally, even "clean" rockets release water vapor, which acts as a greenhouse gas at high altitudes.

  Certain chemicals in rocket exhaust can react with and destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere, which protects us from harmful UV radiation.

4.Rocket launches release a variety of chemicals into the atmosphere, which can have harmful effects on the environment.

  Black Carbon (Soot): This is a major component of particulate matter released from rocket exhaust, particularly from solid rocket motors. Black carbon can absorb sunlight and contribute to warming of the atmosphere.

 Trace Gases: Rocket exhaust contains various trace gases, including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and unburned hydrocarbons. These can contribute to ozone depletion in the stratosphere.

  Water Vapor: While seemingly harmless, water vapor released at high altitudes can act as a greenhouse gas, trapping heat and potentially affecting climate.

 This is a byproduct of solid rocket motor combustion and is a known ozone-depleting substance.

 Metals and Metal Oxides: Some rockets release metals and metal oxides, such as alumina, which can also contribute to ozone depletion and have other potential environmental impacts.

 Rocket launches also contribute to the growing problem of space junk, which can create hazards for future missions and potentially re-enter Earth's atmosphere, causing further pollution.

While the overall impact of rocket launches on the environment is currently smaller compared to other sources of pollution like aviation, the increasing frequency of launches raises concerns about their long-term effects.

5.Olympic Esports Games (GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2027. This is a landmark event for both the world of esports and the Olympic movement.

The decision to host the Games in Saudi Arabia reflects the growing popularity of esports globally and the country's push to become a major player in the gaming world.

 the first time the International Olympic Committee (IOC) will host a dedicated esports competition under the Olympic banner.

This event is a result of a 12-year partnership between the IOC and the Saudi Arabian government, formalized in 2024

6.Seva Bhoj Yojana :

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations)

The Seva Bhoj Yojana is a central sector scheme launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2018. Its primary objective is to alleviate the financial burden on charitable religious institutions that provide free meals, such as prasad, langar, or bhandara, to devotees and the public without discrimination.

The scheme achieves this by reimbursing the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and the central government's share of the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) paid on specific raw food items used in the preparation of these free meals.

To be eligible, institutions must be charitable religious organizations like temples, gurudwaras, mosques, or churches, and they must have been in existence for at least three years.

Furthermore, they should serve free food to a minimum of 5,000 people monthly and be registered under relevant acts or have exemptions under the Income Tax Act.

The key benefit is the reimbursement of CGST and the central government's share of IGST, which helps these institutions save money and continue their charitable work.

The process involves registration on the NGO Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and application on the CSMS Portal of the Ministry of Culture. A certificate from the District Magistrate confirming their charitable activities and free food distribution is also required.

The GST Authority then verifies the claims and disburses the reimbursements. In essence, the Seva Bhoj Yojana supports the valuable work of charitable religious institutions in providing free meals, contributing to food security and social welfare

7 .Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)(General Studies-III (250 marks)Technology, Economic Development, Biodiversity, Environment, Security, and Disaster Management)  is a rare neurological disorder where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nervous system, the network of nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. This sudden and unexpected condition can cause varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations, often starting in the legs and spreading upwards. While the exact cause remains unknown, it's believed to be triggered by an infection.

Treatment typically involves plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulin to suppress the immune system, along with physical therapy to aid recovery. Most individuals with GBS recover fully, though it may take months or years.   

8 .Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana:

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) A new sub-scheme under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) will be implemented from FY 2023-24 to FY 2026-27 with an outlay of ₹6,000 crore. The government will contribute ₹3,000 crore, with the rest coming from beneficiaries and the private sector.

 The scheme aims to formalize the fisheries sector, improve access to credit, and enhance value chain efficiencies. It targets fishers, fish farmers, workers, vendors, micro and small enterprises, cooperatives, and FPOs. The scheme has four components:

1. Formalization and Access to Credit: Creating a National Fisheries Digital Platform for registration and providing work-based digital identities, plus facilitating access to institutional finance.

2. Aquaculture Insurance: Providing a one-time incentive for purchasing aquaculture insurance, especially for small farms.

3. Value Chain Efficiency: Offering performance-based grants to microenterprises for improving value chain activities and job creation.

4. Safety and Quality: Providing performance-based grants to micro and small enterprises for adopting safety and quality assurance systems.

The scheme aims to create 1.7 lakh new jobs (75,000 for women) and sustain 5.4 lakh existing jobs. It will support 6.4 lakh micro-enterprises and 5,500 fisheries cooperatives with access to credit.

 Performance grants will be up to 25% of total investment (35% for SC/ST/Women) for micro-enterprises, and up to 35% for village-level organizations and cooperatives, with maximum limits defined for each category.

the "one-time incentive" for aquaculture insurance will be 40% of the premium (plus 10% for SC/ST/Women beneficiaries), with a maximum of ₹1 lakh. The scheme also aims to improve fish quality, domestic markets, and export competitiveness.

 National Fisheries Digital Platform will be created for registration and incentive disbursement. The scheme acknowledges past improvements in fish production and exports but aims to address remaining challenges like informality and lack of crop risk mitigation.

9 .Bharat TEX 2025:

(GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations) is a major global textile event taking place in India from February 14th to 17th, 2025. It's a large-scale exhibition showcasing the entire textile value chain, from raw materials to finished products.

“Breathing Threads” was not just a fashion show but a testament to the incredible skill, creativity, and dedication required to produce hand-woven fabrics. It demonstrated how Indian handlooms can be elevated to the ranks of global luxury fashion. The show mesmerized buyers from countries such as Australia, the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kuwait, and Chile, as well as stakeholders from the Indian textile industry.

Key features of Bharat Tex 2025 include a comprehensive exhibition with over 5,000 exhibitors displaying a wide range of textile products, global participation with over 6,000 international buyers from more than 120 countries, knowledge sessions with over 70 sessions covering the latest industry trends, and networking opportunities for businesses to connect and collaborate.

The event emphasizes sustainable practices and innovations in the textile industry and is being held at two venues:

Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and India Expo Centre and Mart, Greater Noida. Bharat Tex 2025 is organized by a consortium of Textile Export Promotion Councils (TEPC) and supported by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India.

It aims to promote India's textile industry, attract investments, and enhance trade.

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