Context: Amidst competitive global politicking, as the world struggles to contain the toxic legacies of 2023 — cruel regional wars, civic conflicts and undeniable stories of anthropogenic harms — technocrats, ecocrats, and bureaucrats across the world continue to device and launch quiet initiatives portending a better and larger future for human rights.

Relationship between AI and sovereignty:

• The relationship between AI and sovereignty is evolving, with the concept of "sovereign AI" gaining prominence. This term refers to a country's ability to develop and control its own AI technologies, independent of foreign players.
• The pursuit of sovereign AI is seen as crucial for maintaining competitiveness and ensuring that AI development aligns with national values and regulations.
• India, for example, is actively working to establish its own "sovereign AI" to drive digital transformation and economic growth.
• The governance of AI is also becoming a transborder and multilevel issue, impacting corporate governance and the sovereignty of nations. The politics and geopolitics of AI governance are increasingly significant, as AI's applicability spans various cross-jurisdictional sectors.
• This trend underscores the importance of cross-jurisdictional cooperation and the development of ethical frameworks for the use of AI on a global scale.

Politics and geopolitics of AI governance

• The politics and geopolitics of AI governance are becoming increasingly significant, with the emergence of AI as a strategic technology. The governance of AI is a transborder and multilevel issue, impacting corporate governance and the sovereignty of nations.
• The pursuit of sovereign AI is seen as crucial for maintaining competitiveness and ensuring that AI development aligns with national values and regulations.
• The politics and geopolitics of AI governance are also influenced by superpower rivalries and the need for cross-jurisdictional cooperation. The U.S. and China are currently the two AI superpowers, but other countries are also asserting themselves in the global AI landscape.
• The governance of AI is a complex and evolving issue, with significant implications for global politics and power dynamics.

The key challenges in regulating AI at the international level include:

• Speed of AI Developments: AI is evolving rapidly, making it challenging for regulations to keep pace with technological advancements.
• What to Regulate: AI is a multi-faceted capability, and a "one-size-fits-all" regulation may either over-regulate in some instances or under-regulate in others.
• Regulatory Tightrope: Traversing the regulatory tightrope involves accepting that different AI applications pose different risks, requiring a risk-based and targeted approach to regulation.
• Lack of Consensus on AI Definition: There is a lack of consensus on the definition of AI, making it difficult to create universal regulations that effectively address the diverse landscape of AI technologies.
• Geopolitical Variations: Different countries and regions have distinct approaches to AI regulation, leading to geopolitical variations and potential challenges in aligning regulatory regimes.
• Industry Dominance: The private sector largely drives progress in AI, and governments often rely on big tech companies for AI development, posing challenges in ensuring regulatory independence and oversight.

These challenges highlight the complexity of regulating AI at the international level and the need for nuanced, adaptable, and collaborative approaches to address the diverse and rapidly evolving AI landscape.

To address these challenges and harness the potential of AI, countries can consider the following solutions and ways forward:

• Develop targeted AI regulations: Implement risk-based and targeted approaches to regulate AI, considering the diverse landscape of AI technologies and their potential risks
• Establish international cooperation: Encourage cross-jurisdictional cooperation to align regulatory regimes and ensure the development of universal standards for AI use
• Promote human values and rights: Ensure that AI systems are designed and used in a manner that protects privacy, anonymity, autonomy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms
• Foster AI competitiveness and sovereignty: Pursue AI sovereignty by investing in the development of advanced AI-enabling technologies and data, without being dependent on foreign players
• Address potential negative impacts of AI: Implement regulatory and policy interventions to protect citizens from potentially negative consequences of AI, such as auditing, oversight, transparency, and accountability
• Prepare for the shift in value creation: As AI transforms value creation from humans to machines, governments and industries must adapt to the changing landscape, addressing issues related to job losses, taxation, and the social impact of AI technologies

Context: The article discusses the threats faced by India’s civic space, particularly organizations fighting against communalism. Emphasizes the importance of protecting constitutional freedoms.

Key highlights:

• Constitutional liberties face challenges within India's diverse and lively civil society.
• Groups actively combating communalism encounter intense assaults, impacting their financial support and leadership.
• The government utilizes diverse tools, such as legal accusations, modifications to laws, and tax-related actions, to restrict civic space.
• The repercussions are substantial for organizations advocating minority, Dalit, Adivasi rights, and the promotion of equity.

Challenges:
The shrinking space for civil society in India can be attributed to several factors, including:

• Utilization of legal instruments: There has been a reported use of legal instruments such as money laundering charges and other legal measures to target civil society organizations, leading to a shrinking civic space even for neutral or non-communal organizations
• Rise of sectarian groups: The rise of sectarian groups has contributed to the decline in the space for civil society in India, creating a challenging environment for organizations that advocate for democratic values and human rights
• Decline in media ethics: The decline in media ethics has also had an impact on the space for civil society, as it affects the ability of civil society organizations to effectively advocate for their causes and hold the government accountable
• Curtailment of freedoms: There have been concerns about the curtailment of freedoms, including the freedom of expression and association, which has affected the ability of  civil society organizations to operate freely and advocate for their causes

Way forward:

1. Strengthening opposition and regional leaders who take a clear secular position.
2. Mobilizing anti-communal and progressive civic space to safeguard democracy.
3. Advocating for the protection of constitutional freedoms and reviewing stringent laws impacting NGOs.
4. Raising awareness about the importance of civic space and the role of civil society in upholding democratic values and human rights.
5. Encouraging international cooperation and support for civil society organizations in India.
6. Engaging in dialogue with the government to address concerns and seek ways to ensure a vibrant and freely operating civil society.

Context: The Indian Navy has deployed ships and aircraft to maintain enhanced surveillance and maritime security operations in the North/Central Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. 

News:

• The Navy is actively observing the situation in collaboration with national maritime agencies and is dedicated to guaranteeing the well-being of merchant shipping and seafarers in the area.
• Current Deployed Warships include INS Kochi, INS Mormugao, INS Kolkata, and INS Chennai, along with a frigate of the Talwar Class.

Gulf of Aden:

• The Gulf of Aden derives its name from the port city of "Aden" situated on Yemen’s coastline.
• Location: Situated between the Arabian Peninsula (north) and the Horn of Africa (south), it is an extension of the Indian Ocean.
  • The Gulf is bordered by Somali and the Socotra Islands to the south, Yemen to the north, the Arabian Sea to the east, and Djibouti to the west.
  • It is linked to the Somali Sea in the south through the Guardafui Channel and to the Red Sea in the west through the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.
• Connectivity: The Gulf serves as a connection between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.
• Major Harbors: Key harbors include Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City.
• Challenges: Recent challenges in the Gulf encompass issues of piracy, terrorism, and the smuggling of refugees.
• Importance: The Gulf of Aden holds strategic significance as a vital segment of the Suez Canal shipping route, linking the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea.

Context: A two-year field study conducted by Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) scientists on the effectiveness of Liquid Nano Urea has revealed a significant reduction in rice and wheat yields compared to the application of conventional nitrogen (N) fertilizer.

News:

These results highlight the importance of conducting extended, long-term field assessments spanning 5-7 years to determine the equivalence of nano urea to traditional urea and its sustainability in sustaining crop yields.

Key Findings on the Effectiveness of Liquid Nano Urea:

1. Yield Reduction:
   • A substantial decrease in crop yields was observed with the use of nano urea compared to conventional nitrogen fertilizers.
   • Specifically, there was a 21.6% reduction in wheat yield and a 13% decrease in rice yield.
2. Grain Nitrogen Content:
   • The application of nano urea led to a decline in grain nitrogen content in both rice and wheat crops.
   • Grain nitrogen content decreased by 17% for rice and 11.5% for wheat, indicating lower protein levels in the harvested crops.
3. Concerns for Staple Foods:
   • The reduced grain nitrogen content raises concerns, particularly in a country like India where rice and wheat are staple foods providing essential protein and carbohydrates.
4. Cost Considerations:
   • The cost of the nano urea formulation was found to be 10 times higher than that of granular urea, potentially adding to the overall cultivation expenses for farmers.
5. Crop Biomass and Root Volume:
   • The application of nano urea resulted in a decrease in both above-ground biomass and root volume.
   • The reduced root volume had implications for nutrient uptake processes, impacting the overall health and growth of the crops.

Liquid Nano Urea:

Composition:

- Liquid Nano Urea is urea presented in nanoparticle form, serving as a liquid nutrient alternative to traditional urea for supplying nitrogen to plants.

Characteristics:

- Urea is a chemical nitrogen fertilizer, typically white, providing essential nitrogen, a key nutrient for plant growth.

- The nano urea is engineered to substitute conventional urea, potentially reducing the requirement for the latter by at least 50%.

Concentration:

- A 500 ml bottle of Liquid Nano Urea contains 40,000 mg/L of nitrogen, equivalent to the nitrogen impact of one bag of conventional urea.

Launch:

- Introduced in June 2021, Liquid Nano Urea was launched by the Indian Farmers and Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO).

Development:

- Developed domestically at the IFFCO-Nano Biotechnology Research Centre in Kalol, Gujarat, aligning with the principles of Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) and Atmanirbhar Krishi (Self-reliant Agriculture).

Importance:

- Particularly significant as India relies on imports to fulfill its urea requirements.

Application Method:

- Liquid Nano Urea is applied as a foliar spray, intended for use once leaves have emerged on the crops.

Context: The Arctic region has reported the first case of death of a polar bear due to the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

News:

• The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reported the discovery of a deceased bear in the vicinity of Utqiagvik, Alaska's northernmost community.
• The first detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Arctic region occurred in the second week of April 2023, affecting birds and a fox.

About polar bear:

• Scientific Name: Ursus maritimus
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Habitat: Primarily found in the Arctic Ocean, sea ice, and adjacent coastal areas.

Survival Dependence on Arctic Sea Ice:

• The Arctic sea ice is of paramount importance to polar bears, serving as a crucial element for hunting seals, as well as for activities such as travel, mating, and resting.

Predatory Characteristics:

• Prey Base: Polar bears, as top predators in the Arctic region, primarily feed on ringed and bearded seals.
• Physical Adaptations: They possess a thick layer of body fat and a water-repellent coat, offering insulation against the extreme cold of both air and water.

Ecological Significance:

• Top Predator Role: Polar bears play a vital role in maintaining the balance of biological populations, sustaining the Arctic food chain, and preserving overall ecosystem health.
• Example: Leftovers from polar bear meals serve as a SOURCE of food for scavengers like Arctic foxes and Arctic birds.

Impact on Seal Population:

• The potential overpopulation of seals, a key prey for polar bears, could pose a threat to the existence of crustaceans and fish. These, in turn, are crucial food Sources for local human populations and other wildlife in the Arctic region.

H5N1 Virus (Bird Flu):

• Nature of Disease: Avian influenza, commonly known as 'bird flu,' is primarily a bird-borne illness caused by a virus belonging to the Orthomyxoviridae family.
• Initial Poultry Report and Outbreak: The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak of the variant H5N1 was first documented in poultry. It commenced in 2021 and rapidly disseminated among wild bird populations globally.
• Influenza A Virus Circulation: Influenza A viruses have the capacity to circulate among seven different animal species, including humans, wild water birds, domestic poultry, swine, horses, dogs, and bats.
• Zoonotic Nature: Five subtypes of avian influenza A viruses, namely H5, H6, H7, H9, and H10, possess the potential to cause infections in humans.
•  Transmission Routes:
  •  
  • Migratory Wild Birds: The virus can be transmitted through migratory wild birds.
  •  
  • Human Transmission Risk: The primary risk factor for transmission from birds to humans involves direct or indirect contact with infected animals or exposure to environments and surfaces contaminated by feces.