[Newsbits] 5-11.09.2024: AI Tokens, AI Treaty & more

The recent agreement between Vietnam and the Philippines aims to strengthen their defense and maritime security cooperation, particularly in response to rising tensions with China over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. During a visit by Vietnam’s Defense Minister, both nations signed letters of intent to enhance their capabilities in maritime security and disaster response, with plans for a formal security agreement by the end of the year. While the agreement is currently seen as mostly symbolic, experts suggest that it could pave the way for stronger collaboration among Southeast Asian nations in the future. The South China Sea remains a contentious area, with multiple countries disputing China’s extensive claims, and recent clashes between the Philippines and China have heightened tensions. Vietnam’s cautious approach to its dealings with China reflects its historical disputes, but the cooperation between Vietnam and the Philippines signals a recognition of the need for collective action in the face of external challenges.

Summary: The SBI Foundation has launched the 3rd edition of the Asha Scholarship Program to support 10,000 underprivileged students across India. Started in 2022, the program provides financial aid ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹20,00,000 per year, depending on the student’s education level, from Class 6 to postgraduate studies. Applications are open until October 1, 2024, via the official website. The program has already helped 3,198 students and aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Summary: The 54th GST Council meeting, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, focused on revising GST rates for essential goods and services, such as cancer drugs, health insurance, and snacks. A key decision was to reduce GST on certain cancer treatments from 12% to 5%, easing financial pressure on patients. Other proposals include lowering GST on savoury snacks and exempting research services from GST. The council also addressed potential increases, such as raising GST on car and motorcycle seats. The GoM will submit its report on insurance GST rates by October 2024, and new invoice management systems will be introduced to streamline tax processes.

Summary: Tamil Nadu has sanctioned ₹500 crore to rejuvenate 5,000 minor irrigation tanks in rural areas, with ₹250 crore from the State Budget and ₹250 crore from the State Finance Commission. Managed by the Rural Development Department, the project aims to improve water storage, restore local water tables, and reduce groundwater pressure by desilting tanks, repairing bunds, and clearing water channels. Local communities, including farmers, will contribute 10% of the project costs, ensuring community involvement in sustainable water management.

Summary: Apple lost a legal battle with the European Union and is now required to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland. The case centered on Apple’s use of the ‘Double Irish’ tax scheme, which allowed the company to reduce taxes by moving revenue between Irish subsidiaries. The European Court of Justice ruled against Apple, stating it had exploited tax loopholes unfairly. Ireland is expected to use the funds in a special investment fund, while Apple disputes the fairness of the ruling. The case underscores the EU’s efforts to ensure companies follow fair tax practices.

Summary: NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, launching on October 10, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, aims to investigate the potential for life in the ocean beneath Europa’s icy surface. With a budget of $5 billion, the spacecraft will conduct 49 close flybys, collecting data about the moon’s ice and subsurface ocean. After extensive testing to address radiation concerns, the mission is set for a six-year journey to Jupiter, where it will provide crucial insights into Europa’s habitability.

Summary: Yudh Abhyas 2024, the 20th edition of the India-USA joint military exercise, started on September 9, 2024, at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. This exercise, conducted annually since 2004, focuses on improving counter-terrorism operations and strengthening defense ties. India is represented by 600 personnel from the RAJPUT Regiment, while the US has sent the 1-24 Battalion of the 11th Airborne Division. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation, improve tactical skills, and build a stronger strategic partnership between the two nations.

Summary: The Africa Urban Forum (AUF) 2024, held in Addis Ababa, focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by Africa’s rapid urbanisation. The forum highlighted the importance of urban planning, financing, and climate resilience in building sustainable, fair, and economically strong cities. With an estimated $130 billion needed annually for infrastructure, various financing options like public-private partnerships and green bonds were discussed. The forum also emphasized housing policies for low-income families and the need for cities to adapt to the growing risks of climate change.

Summary: The US and India announced a partnership to strengthen the global semiconductor supply chain by evaluating India’s semiconductor capabilities, workforce, infrastructure, and laws. This partnership aims to reduce dependence on China and Taiwan while boosting the US-India collaboration. Initiatives like India’s Semiconductor Mission, supported by financial incentives and collaborations, will help develop a robust semiconductor industry. The CHIPS Act, signed by President Biden in 2022, also plays a critical role in supporting secure semiconductor production for the US and its allies.

Summary: AI tokens are a type of cryptocurrency associated with AI platforms and projects, enabling decision-making, payments, and support for AI initiatives. Built on blockchain networks like Ethereum or Cardano, these tokens facilitate AI activities and play a role in decentralized governance. Examples include Injective (INJ) and SingularityNET (AGIX). With increasing investment and adoption, AI tokens are projected to drive significant revenue growth by 2030, contributing to more efficient, transparent, and innovative financial ecosystems.

Summary: SpaceX plans to launch its first uncrewed Starship missions to Mars within the next two years, testing spacecraft landing capabilities as part of a long-term plan for human exploration. Elon Musk envisions crewed missions within four years and aims to build a self-sustaining city on Mars within 20 years. These uncrewed missions are critical for ensuring technological success before sending humans. SpaceX’s broader goals involve using the versatile Starship for various missions, including those to the Moon, while continuing to lower space travel costs through reusable rockets.

Summary: Researchers discovered a new turmeric-related plant species, Curcuma ungmensis, in Nagaland’s Ungma Village. This rhizomatous herb from the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) grows 65-90 cm tall and has striking yellow flowers. It belongs to the same genus as turmeric and black turmeric. Identified through a study of regional flora, the plant holds potential as an ornamental species, but its limited range near Ungma makes it vulnerable to habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are needed to protect this unique species and explore its uses.

Summary: Odisha recently launched India’s first silicon carbide manufacturing facility at EMC Park, Bhubaneswar, with an investment of Rs 620 crore. Led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and developed by RIR Power Electronics Limited, this facility will boost Odisha’s position in the global semiconductor market. The project, which collaborates with IIT Bhubaneswar for research support, is expected to create over 500 jobs and strengthen India’s self-reliance in power electronics and semiconductor production, with products already serving industries like defense and energy worldwide.

In March 2025, Saturn’s rings will temporarily “disappear” due to an optical illusion caused by the planet’s tilt and orbit, where the rings align edge-on from Earth’s perspective. This rare event happens every 13-15 years, last occurring in 2009. Despite this illusion, Saturn is slowly losing its rings due to a process called “ring rain,” where gravity and its magnetic field pull ring material down. Scientists estimate the rings will disappear entirely in about 300 million years. Saturn’s rings, made of ice and rock particles, are relatively young, likely formed 100 million years ago from a moon collision.

Tamil Nadu has introduced Cyber Security Policy 2.0, updating its 2020 policy to better protect government digital systems and data. The new policy emphasizes safeguarding information assets, ensuring continuous operation of IT systems, and establishing robust monitoring and response mechanisms. Key measures include e-signatures, data backup protocols, regular security audits, and mandatory training for staff. The policy applies to all state government departments, public sector units, and third-party contractors. It also mandates risk assessment to evaluate potential vulnerabilities and cyber threats.

A new species of jumping spider, Carrhotus piperus, was discovered in the lower Palani Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. The species, named after the black pepper (Piper nigrum) plants it lives on, adds to the rich biodiversity of the region, increasing India’s Carrhotus species count to 10. This discovery, led by John Caleb T.D. and M. Sampathkumar, emphasizes the importance of continued biodiversity research and understanding plant-animal relationships. Jumping spiders, known for their excellent vision and leaping ability, actively hunt rather than spin webs, and are found worldwide except Antarctica.

India has initiated its first bio-hydrogen project, led by Gensol Engineering in partnership with Matrix Gas & Renewables, as part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The Rs 164 crore project will use 25 tonnes of bio-waste daily to produce 1 tonne of green hydrogen through advanced gasification technology (GH2-PREGS). Bio-hydrogen, sourced from organic materials like agricultural waste, provides a cleaner energy alternative to fossil fuels and has potential to reduce emissions in industries such as steel and cement. This project also offers rural communities an opportunity to convert farm waste into energy, supporting jobs and cleaner energy initiatives.

India has become the world’s top plastic polluter, producing 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, accounting for 20% of global plastic emissions. A recent study in Nature reveals that India’s current data underestimates the scale of the issue, especially in rural areas. The study identifies uncollected waste, inefficient collection systems, and uncontrolled disposal as major sources of pollution. These findings are crucial for the upcoming 2024 Global Plastics Treaty, aimed at reducing plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. India needs to improve waste data accuracy and strengthen its collection systems to tackle this growing crisis.

Airlines avoid flying over the Tibetan Plateau due to a combination of high altitude, unpredictable turbulence, a lack of emergency landing sites, and limited air traffic control. The region, with peaks exceeding 16,000 feet, poses significant challenges for airplanes, including reduced engine performance in thin air and severe turbulence from strong winds. The rugged terrain offers few safe landing areas, and the lack of air traffic control infrastructure makes navigation even more hazardous. Although fascinating and rich in natural resources, the plateau remains largely inaccessible to air travel due to these risks.

The 2024 State of Global Air Report highlights the severe impact of air pollution, particularly in India, where 464 children under five die daily due to pollution. PM2.5 particles, small enough to enter deep into the lungs, are linked to major health issues such as heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and dementia. India, especially its urban areas like Delhi, faces alarming pollution levels, reducing life expectancy by years. The government plans a meeting in September 2024 to develop strategies to tackle pollution in Delhi, stressing the urgency of addressing the crisis to protect public health.

Researchers at JILA, a joint initiative of the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST, are nearing the completion of the world’s first nuclear clock, which promises unprecedented precision in timekeeping. Unlike atomic clocks that measure electromagnetic forces in atoms, nuclear clocks track energy changes within the atom’s nucleus, making them more stable and accurate. The necessary components have been successfully tested, and once finalized, nuclear clocks could simplify and enhance global timekeeping technologies, benefiting systems like GPS and international financial networks.

The US, EU, and UK are set to sign the Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights, Democracy, and Rule of Law, a landmark treaty establishing global rules for AI development. The treaty aims to ensure AI respects human rights, safeguards democracy, and provides legal support for AI-related violations. Based on a risk-based framework, it involves accountability for both government and private sector AI use. While lacking strict enforcement tools, the treaty aligns with global AI regulatory efforts, such as the European AI Act, and seeks to foster international cooperation on safe, transparent AI technology.

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly will introduce Zero Hour, a parliamentary practice that allows members to raise urgent public issues outside the official agenda. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced the move, which both the government and opposition support, but with a focus on developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure orderly discussions. The government stresses the need for structure, while the opposition advocates for fair participation. A proposed one-hour duration aims to provide sufficient time for pressing concerns, and SOPs are being crafted to ensure smooth implementation of the practice.

India launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack in 2024, a blockchain initiative led by MeitY to improve public services and enhance digital trust through Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS). The platform includes components like NBFLite for startups and Praamaanik for mobile app verification. Supported by institutions like C-DAC and IIT Hyderabad, the initiative focuses on improving transparency, security, and scalability. The National Blockchain Framework (NBF), launched in 2021, addresses governance challenges and promotes research, aiming to build skilled talent and advance blockchain technology in both public and private sectors.

On September 4, 2024, India and South Africa signed a submarine rescue cooperation agreement, aimed at improving maritime safety by enabling the Indian Navy to assist South African submarines during emergencies using its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV). This agreement followed the 2023 accident of the South African submarine SAS Manthatisi, emphasizing the need for better safety measures. India’s DSRVs, capable of diving up to 650 meters, have been used in regional collaborations, strengthening security in the Indian Ocean. The partnership enhances preparedness and reinforces bilateral cooperation on maritime safety.

On September 4, 2024, Rajasthan’s BJP government approved 33% reservation for women in police jobs by amending the State Police Subordinate Service Rules of 1989. This move, fulfilling an election promise, aims to enhance gender equality and improve the handling of women’s issues within law enforcement. It also opens up more job opportunities for women. While the Congress opposition raised concerns about corruption in the Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC), the government defended its position. Additionally, the Cabinet addressed other issues like pensions for specially abled children, job reservations for athletes, and approvals for solar power projects.