World Affairs 

Why are tensions high in the Arctic? - The Hindu 

International observers have raised concerns about escalating tensions in the Arctic, warning that if left unchecked, they could eventually spark conflict in the region.

Opportunities in the Arctic 

• Melting Ice: Climate change is melting Arctic ice, revealing untapped resources such as fossil fuels, rare earth elements, phosphates, and copper.
  Resource Access: New trade routes are becoming viable, further increasing strategic interest.
• Lack of legal protection: The Arctic lacks the legal protections of Antarctica, being governed by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which allows territorial claims.
• Governance Issues: Unlike Antarctica, military posturing and territorial disputes are common in the Arctic.

Control and Sovereignty in the Arctic

• Eight countries control Arctic lands: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the U.S.
• Arctic Council: Formed by above counties responsible for environmental protection, research, and safeguarding indigenous peoples.
• Seabed Claims: Nations can extend claims to the seabed beyond the 200-nautical-mile EEZ if the area is a natural extension of their continental shelf.
• Canada, Denmark, and Russia claim: To the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
• Infrastructure: Remains underdeveloped in the Arctic with Russia having the only significant fleet of icebreakers.
• Military Presence: The region’s resources remain largely inaccessible due to the lack of proper infrastructure.

Tensions in the Arctic

• U.S.-Greenland Dispute: U.S. President’s interest in acquiring Greenland from Denmark has raised tensions.
• U.S.-Canada Dispute: U.S. and Canada disagree over the status of the Northwest Passage, with Canada claiming it as internal waters and the U.S. asserting international jurisdiction.
• Russia and NATO Tensions: Relations between Russia and NATO members in the Arctic have worsened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia’s interest: Expressed interest in controlling Norway's Arctic island of Svalbard.
• Greenland-Iceland-U.K. (GIUK) gap: Focal point for NATO's military strategy.

Importance of the Arctic

• Natural Resources: 13% of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30% of natural gas reserves.
• Greenland's rare earth deposits: Has attracted international interest, particularly from Chinese companies.
• Trade: Melting ice has opened the Northeast Passage, which could benefit China billions by reducing the maritime distance between East Asia and Europe by 8,000 km.

Future of the Arctic

• Russian Presence: In 2007, Russia symbolically planted a flag on the Arctic seabed & maintains several military bases in the Arctic.
• China’s Arctic Interests: China declared itself a ‘Near-Arctic State’ in 2018 and plans to build a nuclear-powered icebreaker.
• NATO: As Sweden and Finland joined NATO post-Ukraine invasion, NATO’s military presence in the region has increased.
• Strategic Imbalances: NATO’s limited operational capabilities in the Arctic have raised concerns over strategic imbalances.
• Future Tensions: As temperatures rise, the Arctic’s geopolitical tensions are likely to intensify.

Economy 

GST e-invoicing Framework - The Hindu

Sci and Tech 

What is vibe coding, and how does it help non-coders? - The Hindu

When it comes to non-programmers, vibe coding can be a fun way to generate code for personal projects without formally learning the more technical parts of the skill

Vibe Coding

• Components: Using AI tools to generate code from simple text prompts without traditional coding skills.
• Role: Allows users to build apps, websites, or tools by describing desired features in natural language.
• Issues: 
  • Generated code can be copy-pasted and executed but may include unintended functions.
  • Users often lack understanding of the code's structure, efficiency, or potential improvements.

Future of Vibe Coding vs Traditional Coding

• Unlikely Replacement:
  • AI coding remains experimental and context-deficient.
  • Enterprises require well-structured, understandable, and secure code.

• Role of Human Expertise:

• Professionals can guide and refine AI-generated code; vibe coders cannot.
• Companies demand quality and cannot rely on the casual approach of vibe coding.

• Tool Evolution:

• AI tools like Cursor are improving by adapting to user context and style.
• Despite progress, complete reliance on vibe coding remains impractical for serious applications.

Environment 

Before rolling out Green Credits, Environment Ministry sidestepped Law queries - Indian Express 

The Environment Ministry’s ambitious Green Credit Programme (GCP), which aims to enhance the country’s forest and tree cover and encourage “pro-planet actions”, was rolled out despite apprehensions from the Law Ministry.

Green Credit (GC)

• About: An incentive unit awarded for environmentally beneficial activities.
• Role: These credits are tradable, similar to carbon credits, on a designated exchange platform.
• Governance of Green Credit Programme (GCP): Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Objectives of Green Credit Programme (GCP):
  • Enhance forest cover.
  • Promote sustainable practices.
  • Encourage pro-environmental actions through market-based incentives.
• Eligibility to Earn Green Credits:

• Open to individuals, communities, and industries.
• Eligible activities include:
  • Afforestation and reforestation
  • Water conservation
  • Sustainable agriculture

• Mechanism of Green Credit
  • Participants earn tradable credits for eco-friendly contributions.
  • Credits can be sold to industries to meet legal environmental obligations, such as compensatory afforestation.
  • A domestic trading platform facilitates credit exchange
• Progress: Since launch, 384 entities have registered under the GCP.

• Participation: Includes 41 PSUs such as Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd, and NTPC Ltd.
   

Karimpuzha wildlife sanctuary adds new species to its checklist - The Hindu 

The Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala’s youngest protected area, has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot. A recent faunal survey conducted by the Forest department, the first-such systematic exercise conducted since its inception, has reported 63 new species of odonates, butterflies and birds.

Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Malappuram district, Kerala.
• Area: Approx. 227.97 sq.km on the western slopes of the Nilgiri Hills.
• Significance: Forms part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme.
• Geography: Shares boundary with Mukurthi National Park (Tamil Nadu) to the east and Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) to the south.

• Naming: Named after Karimpuzha River, a tributary of River Chaliyar.

• Altitude: Ranges from 40 m to 2550 m, contributing to rich biodiversity.
• Terrain: Steep hills, valleys, marshes, grasslands, shola forests, and perennial water sources.
• Tribes: Inhabited by the Cholanaikans, a nomadic tribe considered a PVTG by the Government of India.
• Vegetation: Only forest region in Kerala encompassing all seven forest types of the state:
  • Evergreen rainforest
  • Semi-evergreen forest
  • Moist deciduous forest
  • Sub-tropical hill forest
  • Sub-tropical savannah
  • Montane wet temperate forest
  • Montane wet grasslands

• Fauna: Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed macaque, Slender loris, Tiger, and Gaur
   

Defence 

INIOCHOS-25 - The Hindu 

Aiming to hone skills against a dozen other counterparts, including the US, Israel, and France, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in biennial multinational air exercise INIOCHOS-25, in Greece.

INIOCHOS

• About: A biennial multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force of Greece.
• Aim: To enhance tactical knowledge, operational coordination, and military cooperation among participating air forces.
• Venue: Andravida Air Base, Elis region, Greece.
• Components: Involves air and surface assets from 15 countries under realistic modern combat scenarios.
• Role: Provides training in joint mission planning, execution of air operations, and tactical refinement.
• Indian Participation: IAF will participate with Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78 mid-air refuelers, and C-17 transport aircraft.
• Other Participating Nations and Aircraft:
  • France: Mirage 2000
  • Israel: G-550
  • Italy: Tornado
  • Montenegro: B-412
  • Poland: F-16
  • Qatar: F-15
  • Slovenia: 2 PC-9
  • Spain: F-18
  • UAE: Mirage 2000-9
  • USA: F-16, KC-46, KC-135