Recently the US Administration released 'Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion', which aims to establish export and security regulations for the global AI market.

• Under the framework, certain restrictions are imposed on India for import of GPUs unless the computing power is hosted in secure environments.

About the Framework for AI Diffusion

• It seeks to control the spread of advanced AI technology in a manner that promotes its potential economic and social benefits, while also protecting US interests. 
• Built on 3-part strategy:
  • Exceptions for certain allies and partners for the export, re-export to certain set of allies;
  • Exceptions for supply chains to allow export of advanced computing chips;
  • Low volume exceptions to allow limited amounts of compute to flow globally, except to arms-embargoed countries.

Cabinet raises raw jute Minimum Support Price (MSP) by 6% to ₹5,650/per quintal.

About Jute

• Jute, popularly known as the Golden fibre of India.
• It is a kharif crop.
• Required Climatic Condition: 
  • Jute requires a hot and humid climate with temperatures fluctuating between 15 to 34 degree Celsius. 
  • Minimum rainfall required for jute cultivation is 1,000 mm. 
• Soil:  River basins or alluvial or loamy soils are most suitable.
• Major jute growing states: West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Odisha. (West Bengal accounts for over 50% of raw jute produced in India)

Raman Rajamannan, the king of the Mannan community and the only tribal king in Kerala, will participate in the Republic Day parade in Delhi.

About Mannan community

• Region: Mainly inhabit Kumily Panchayat in Idukki district. 
• Language: They possess a unique dialect that blends Tamil and Malayalam.
• Occupation: They are skilled agriculturalists, particularly adept at cultivating crops in mountainous terrains.
• Religion: Predominantly follow Hinduism, incorporating deities like Shiva, Vishnu, Bhagawati, and Sastha into their worship practices.

Kerala has launched the Kerala Warnings, Crisis, and Hazard Management System (KaWaCHaM) for real-time disaster alerts. 

About KaWaCHaM 

• It is developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) with support from the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank.
  • It is supported under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP). 
• It offers hazard assessment, alert issuance, and threat-based action planning.
  • Provides updates for extreme weather events such as heavy rain etc.
• Key features include:
  • A network of siren-strobe light units.
  • Emergency operation centers connected via Virtual Private Network (VPN).
  • Decision support software and a large data center.

Atmospheric CO₂ levels reached a record high in 2024, driven by wildfires and human activities, as reported by the Keeling Curve.

About Keeling Curve

• It is a graph that represents the concentration of CO₂ in the Earth's atmosphere over time, measured in parts per million (ppm). 
  • Continuous measurements began in 1958 at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii.
• Developed by: Charles David Keeling
• Significance: It is one of the most iconic indicators of global atmospheric change.

The Pangsau Pass International Festival, a three-day event celebrating border trade and cultural exchange, concluded recently in Arunachal Pradesh. 

About Pangsau Pass

• Location: Situated at 3,727 feet (1,136 m) on the Patkai Hills along the India-Myanmar border.
• Origin of Name: Named after the nearest Burmese village, Pangsau.
• Historical Significance: Believed to be the route of the 13th-century Ahom invasion of Assam by the Shan tribe.
• Connectivity: The historic Stilwell Road (Ledo Road) passes through Nampong and the Pangsau Pass into Myanmar.

Recent ceasefire terms between Israel and Hamas also stipulate Israel’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor.

About Philadelphi Corridor

• Corridor was originally established under the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty.
• It is a narrow strip of land along the Gaza-Egypt border, ~14 km long and 100 meters wide.
• It serves as a critical border area between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
• It runs from the Mediterranean to Kerem Shalom crossing with Israel and was designated as a demilitarised border zone after the withdrawal of Israeli settlements and troops from Gaza in 2005.

Recently, UN has declared 2025 as the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation.

• It was also announced that March 21 of each year will be celebrated as World Day for Glaciers, starting in 2025.

About International Year of Glaciers' Preservation

• Co-facilitated by:  UNESCO and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Objective: To raise global awareness about the critical role of glaciers in the climate system and the hydrological cycle, and the economic, social and environmental impacts in the Earth’s cryosphere.
• Significance of Glaciers: There are more than 275 000 glaciers in the world, covering an area of around 700,000 sq. kms, which account for ~70% of the global freshwater.

The US Secretary of Health nominee has suggested an end to adding fluoride to public water supplies.

About the Fluoride

• Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in water, soil, and air that has been demonstrated to prevent dental cavities and tooth decay.
• Side effects: Excessive Fluoride in drinking and cooking water lead to fluorosis (fluoride-induced tooth discoloration); usually in children under the age of 6 also affect fetal, infant and child neurodevelopment.
• Prescribed standard: As per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the desirable limit of Fluoride in water is 1ppm (parts per million) or 1 mg/L, the lesser the better.

India has joined Eurodrone programme as an observer member.

• Eurodrone or European Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (MALE RPAS) is a twin-turboprop MALE unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). 
• It can be used for long-endurance missions such as intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), maritime surveillance, etc.

About Eurodrone Programme

• Members: Four-nation initiative involving Germany, France, Italy, and Spain.
• Led by:  the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).