The Finance Minister formed a panel under SBI Chairman to assess risks from Anthropic's AI model Mythos.

About Mythos

• Autonomous Security Model: It is an advanced unreleased frontier AI model developed by Anthropicwith exceptional cybersecurity capabilities.
  • So far, Anthropic has released the Mythos Preview underProject Glasswing to a few trusted organisations, under controlled iteration for its evaluation.
• Zero-Day Exploits: It can identify and exploit zero-day vulnerabilities across every major operating system and web browser.
  • In cybersecurity,”zero-day" vulnerability is a software or hardware flaw that is unknown to the developer; hence once identified, they have zero days to defend against it.
• Concerns: automated cyberattacks capabilities can threaten national security, banking sector, power sector, etc.

Jordan became the 63rd nation to sign the Artemis Accords.

About Artemis Accords

• Launched: In 2020 under the Artemis space exploration program.
• Artemis Accords are a set of international principles led by the United States (NASA) for peaceful and cooperative exploration of the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies.
  • To reinforce the principles of the Outer Space Treaty (1967).
• Aim: 
  • To ensure safe, transparent, and sustainable space activities.
  • Promote peaceful use of outer space and prevent conflicts.
  • Encourage sharing of scientific data among partner countries.
  • Support interoperability and emergency assistance in space missions.
• India is also a signatory.

Avocado import surged in India amid rising demand as it is seen as a heart-friendly alternative to processed fats.

• Imports increased more than three-fold to reach $42.27 million in FY26 (as of February).
• Source: Largely from Tanzania, Kenya, Australia, and others.

About Avocado

• Overview: It is a fruit grown on the Persea americana tree, believed to originate from Mexico/Central America.
  • Introduced in India between 1906 and 1914 by an American missionary.
• Nutritional Value: Rich in fibre and healthy monounsaturated fats, making it suitable for heart health and diabetes-friendly diets.
  • One of the highest-fat plant foods, widely used in low-carbohydrate diets.

The Prime Minister congratulated Indian cheesemakers for their global recognition at the Mundial do Queijo do Brasil 2026 – an international competition for cheese and dairy products.

• India won four medals at this competition for its Eleftheria Gulmarg (Brie Style), Yak Churpi-Soft and Eleftheria Brunost (Whey Cheese) and Eleftheria Kaali Miri (Belper Knolle Style).

About the Cheeses

• Brie-style cheese is soft, creamy, and covered in a delicate white mould rind. 
• Yak Churpi is a traditional cheese from the Himalayan region, especially in Ladakh and nearby high-altitude communities.
• Brunost is made from concentrated whey.
• Belper Knolle-style is crumbly, flavourful, and coated in black pepper. 

INS Sudarshini makes maiden visit to Las Palmas, Canary Islands, first by any Indian naval ship. 

• The visit is a strategic halt during its transoceanic deployment, under Lokayan 26, preceding a trans-Atlantic voyage.

About Canary Islands

• It is an autonomous region of Spain.
• Location: Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, about 100 km off the northwest coast of Africa. 
• Geography: A volcanic archipelago with islands like Tenerife and Gran Canaria. It includes Mount Teide (Spain’s highest peak). 

India approves the first withdrawal of 30 billion rupees for the Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework.

• This framework introduced an INR Swap Window worth ₹25,000 crore, supplementing the USD/Euro Swap Window, and aimed to promote the internationalization of the Indian Rupee.

About SAARC

• It is a regional organization aimed at building a connected and integrated South Asia and promoting development and progress of member countries.
• Established: Formed in 1985 during the first summit in Dhaka.
• Members: 8 members - India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan. 
• Secretariat: Located in Kathmandu.

The Mines Ministry instituted ₹5,000 crore incentive scheme incorporated under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for FY 2026-27.

• Incentive scheme aims to facilitate and expedite mine operationalization, increase mineral production, enhance revenue collection by States, and improve overall governance of the mining sector. 
• Scheme incentive to states and UTs under three reform areas – Implementation of mining reforms, Mine operationalization, and State Mining Readiness Index (SMRI) based reforms. 

About SASCI

• Type: Central Sector.
• Ministry: Ministry of Finance.
• Aim: Financial assistance provided to the State Governments in the form of a 50-year interest free loan for capital expenditure.

New mineral Cerium-Magnesium Changesite has been discovered in lunar meteorite named Pakepake 005 found in Taklamakan Desert, China.

• The finding raises total known lunar minerals to 11.

About Cerium-Magnesium Changesite

• It is a rare earth-bearing phosphate mineral with distinctive physical and chemical characteristics.
• Physical Properties: Colourless, transparent, with a glass-like lustre.
  • It is also fragile and shows shell-like fracture, and glows under UV light.
• Scientific Significance: Helps understand volcanic processes on the Moon and distribution of rare earth elements.
  • Its fluorescence makes it valuable in development of more efficient LEDs.

According to ICIMOD Report, snow persistence in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) declines sharply for fourth consecutive year.

• The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is an intergovernmental body leading efforts to protect the HKH region and its people, resources and culture.

About HKH

• HKH region extends 3,500 km over eight countries from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east.
  • Other countries include Bangladesh, Bhuta, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. 
• It is the source of ten large Asian river systems – the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra (Yarlungtsanpo), Irrawaddy, Salween (Nu), Mekong (Lancang), Yangtse (Jinsha), Yellow River (Huanghe), and Tarim (Dayan).