12 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs

1. How will freeze on USAID affect the world?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 10)

Global Impact of the Freeze

• Top countries receiving USAID aid include Ukraine, Ethiopia, Jordan, Somalia, Congo, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan.
• The funding freeze could force the cancellation of essential projects, affecting millions of people.
• The United Nations estimates that over six million people could die from HIV/AIDS in the next four years if global funding is cut.
• While aid to Haiti was paused, a waiver allowed $40.7 million to be sent to its police department.
• USAID has stated that exceptions will be made for mission-critical functions, but no details have been provided.
• Reports suggest only 294 of 10,000 employees will remain active, with limited personnel in Africa and Asia.

USAID’s Role in India

• India’s funding from USAID has reduced over the years due to government concerns over grant conditions.
• Over the past decade, India received about $1.5 billion from USAID, accounting for 0.2% to 0.4% of the agency’s total funding.
• USAID’s involvement in India began in 1951, initially focusing on food aid and later expanding to infrastructure, economic reforms, and healthcare.
• In 2024, the agency allocated $79.3 million to healthcare projects in India, including HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, maternal and child health, and immunization.
• While India may not face a significant impact from the freeze, the suspension of USAID projects could affect ongoing healthcare initiatives.
• USAID has directed all organizations in India implementing its projects to suspend operations temporarily. 

2. India, 57 countries call for inclusive and sustainable AI

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Joint Statement on AI

• The statement aims to promote AI accessibility, trust, and safety in its deployment.
• More countries may join after the summit ends.

India and France’s Role

• India and France co-chaired the summit, emphasizing responsible AI development.
• The statement encourages AI innovation while preventing market concentration and promoting industrial recovery.
• It highlights AI’s role in shaping labor markets and future job opportunities.

Context of the Summit

• This is the third such international summit following summits in the U.K. and South Korea.
• The discussions highlighted a divide between regulatory approaches and economic priorities in AI governance.

Focus on Ethical AI and Global Equity

• The statement stresses that AI must be human-centric, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy.
• It calls for reducing global inequalities and supporting developing countries in AI capacity-building.
• AI should be used to benefit society while maintaining human rights and ethical standards.

Diverging Views on AI Regulation

• The U.S. and the U.K. did not sign the statement.
• A U.S. representative emphasized AI’s economic opportunities over strict regulations.
• The U.S. believes excessive AI regulations could harm innovation and economic growth.

3. The Modi – Trump Meeting

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Personal Rapport and Strategic Importance

• Modi and Trump share a personal rapport, built through past high-profile visits, such as the Howdy Modi event in Houston (2019) and Trump’s Ahmedabad visit (2020). 
• While this relationship can facilitate smoother negotiations, Trump’s second-term agenda is more aggressive, requiring a pragmatic diplomatic approach from India.

Immigration and Deportation Concerns

• The US has begun deporting illegal Indian immigrants, with a recent batch of 104 individuals sent back in shackles, creating a politically sensitive issue for India. 
• With over 7.25 lakh illegal Indian immigrants in the US, India seeks humane treatment for deportees while ensuring legal channels for student and work visas remain unaffected. 
• Modi is likely to press for better treatment of Indian migrants while maintaining compliance with international law.

Trade Tensions and Tariff Challenges

• Trump’s strong stance on tariffs remains a key concern. 
• With a $200 billion bilateral trade relationship, Trump is frustrated by India’s $40-50 billion trade surplus. 
• His recent imposition of a 25% tariff on aluminium and steel imports has alarmed Indian industries. 
• India has already reduced some tariffs, such as on high-end motorcycles, but a broader trade agreement is needed to balance market access and protectionist policies.

Strategic Alignment on China

• Trump was the first US President to explicitly label China as a strategic threat. 
• India shares similar concerns over China’s regional aggression, making strategic cooperation a key agenda item. 
• Modi and Trump are expected to discuss deepening the Quad alliance (India, US, Australia, Japan) and enhancing India-US defense ties, particularly in drone technology and other military procurements.

Technology and Critical Sectors Cooperation

• India and the US continue to collaborate on emerging technologies, including AI, space, and quantum computing. 
• With China competing fiercely in these sectors, India seeks greater technology-sharing and investment from the US to strengthen its position in the global AI race.

Conclusion: 

• Modi’s visit comes at a time of both strategic opportunities and diplomatic challenges. 
• While Trump’s transactional approach to trade and immigration poses difficulties, India’s alignment with US strategic interests, particularly concerning China and technology, offers room for deeper cooperation. 
• The success of this visit will depend on India’s ability to balance negotiations on trade, defense, and migration while strengthening long-term bilateral ties. 

4. Manipur Political Crisis: BJP Weighs Options to Avoid President’s Rule

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

Article 356 and Its Implications

• President’s Rule under Article 356 transfers the state’s governance to the Centre, while the state legislature’s functions are taken over by Parliament. 
• The High Court’s jurisdiction remains unaffected. 
• The process begins when the President, based on the Governor’s report, determines that the state government cannot function per constitutional provisions. 
• The proclamation lasts for two months and must be ratified by both Houses of Parliament for extensions up to a maximum of three years, subject to conditions like national or state emergencies or Election Commission certification.

Historical Precedence of President’s Rule

• Since 1950, President’s Rule has been imposed 134 times across 29 states and UTs, with Manipur and Uttar Pradesh experiencing it 10 times each. 
• Jammu & Kashmir holds the record for the longest duration (over 12 years), followed by Punjab (over 10 years) and Puducherry (over 7 years). 
• The latest instance was in Puducherry in 2021 due to a failed confidence vote.

Supreme Court’s Stand on President’s Rule

• The landmark S R Bommai v Union of India (1994) case established that the imposition of President’s Rule is subject to judicial review. 
• The court ruled that while the President’s decision remains subjective, the material basis for the proclamation must be legally sound. 
• The judgment also limited the scope of President’s Rule by ensuring the state government’s complete dismissal required parliamentary approval within two months. 
• Justice B P Jeevan Reddy emphasized protecting states’ autonomy, asserting that states are not mere extensions of the Centre. Post-Bommai, instances of President’s Rule have declined significantly.

Background

Prelims Facts

1. Why is Hawaii ideal for rainbows?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 7)

Ideal Conditions for Rainbow:

• Regular Sunshine: Hawaii gets plenty of sunlight, which makes rainbows clearer and more frequent.
• Short Rain Showers: The state experiences quick rain showers that create the perfect conditions for rainbows to form.
• Trade Winds: Winds bring small rain showers while allowing sunlight to shine through, creating ideal conditions for rainbows.
• Clean Air: Hawaii has very little pollution, dust, or pollen, making its rainbows more vibrant.
• Location and Climate: The combination of rain, sun, and wind makes rainbows a common sight.
• Rainy Season: From October to April, more rain increases the chances of seeing rainbows.

2. Kiwis rethink deep-sea mining ban

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 13)

Analysis of the news:

• The government is reviewing its position, arguing that opposition is based on ideological beliefs rather than economic realities.
• The country had supported a ban on deep-sea mining in 2022, citing risks of irreversible damage to ocean ecosystems.
• The government now sees deep-sea mining as a potential source of critical minerals like manganese, cobalt, copper, and nickel, essential for battery production.
• There is growing debate between economic benefits and environmental risks, as scientists warn of unknown consequences on marine ecosystems.
• Some Pacific Island nations are divided on deep-sea mining, with some supporting it and others opposing it.
• New Zealand is also expanding its seabed resource extraction, including coal and iron-rich sands, separate from deep-sea mining.

3. Russia offers to partner with India for joint production of Su-57 fighter

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 5)

About Su-57 Fighter Jet:

• The Su-57 is Russia’s fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter aircraft, developed by the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) and Sukhoi.
• It features stealth technology, reducing radar visibility and enhancing survivability in combat.
• The aircraft is equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, providing superior target detection and tracking.
• It has supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic speeds without afterburners.
• The Su-57 is powered by advanced engines that enable high maneuverability and agility in air combat.
• It integrates artificial intelligence (AI) elements for enhanced situational awareness and decision-making.
• The aircraft can carry a variety of advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons, including hypersonic missiles.
• Russia is offering technology transfer and local production of the Su-57 in India through a proposed partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

4. Study Reveals Earth’s Inner Core is Changing Shape, Affecting Rotation

(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained- Page No. – 16)

Analysis of the news:

A new study reveals that the Earth’s inner core is undergoing structural transformation.

Inner Core Rotation and Variability

• The inner core does not spin at the same rate as the Earth’s outer layers. 
• Earlier, it was spinning slightly faster than the outer layers, but recent observations suggest a slowdown. 
• The inner core plays a crucial role in generating Earth’s magnetic field and even influences the length of days.

Earth’s Geological Layers

The Earth consists of several layers:

• Crust: The outermost, where humans live.
• Mantle: A semi-fluid layer responsible for tectonic movements.
• Outer Core: A liquid layer surrounding the inner core.
• Inner Core: The deepest, solid layer, affected by external forces.

Study Methodology

• Scientists used seismic vibrations from earthquakes to study the inner core. 
• They analyzed over 100 earthquake pairs from the South Sandwich Islands recorded between 1991 and 2004 at seismometer arrays in Fairbanks (Alaska) and Yellowknife (Canada).

Key Findings

• Identical earthquakes should produce identical seismic signals. However, signals at Yellowknife differed, suggesting a shift in the inner core’s outer boundary.
• Possible causes include turbulent flow in the outer core or gravitational pull from denser mantle regions.
• The inner core may be deforming due to its proximity to the melting point, making it more susceptible to external forces.

Implications of the Study

• This research enhances our understanding of the inner core’s dynamics, which influence Earth’s magnetic field and rotational behavior. 
• Further studies could reveal how these changes impact global geophysical processes.

5. Global Corruption Index 2024: India Ranks 96th as Corruption Levels Remain High

(Source – Indian Express, Section – The World- Page No. – 21)

Analysis of the news:

Global Corruption Levels Remain High

• Of the 180 countries surveyed, 47 recorded their lowest scores since the current ranking methodology began in 2012. 
• The global average remained stagnant at 43, with over two-thirds of countries scoring below 50.

Top and Bottom Performers

• Denmark retained its top position with 90 points, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). New Zealand dropped to fourth place with 83 points. 
• At the bottom, South Sudan (8) replaced Somalia as the lowest-ranked country, followed by Venezuela (10) and Syria (12).

Decline Among Major Nations

Several Western nations saw declines:

• United States fell from 69 to 65 points, dropping from 24th to 28th place.
• France dropped four points to 67, slipping to 25th place.
• Germany lost three points to 75, falling six places to 15th, tying with Canada.

India’s Position in the Index

• India ranked 96th out of 180 with a score of 38, a decline of one point from the previous year. 
• This drop highlights ongoing corruption challenges and the need for stronger governance and transparency measures.

6. Impact of PM-Daksh Yojana

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2101663&reg=3&lang=1 )

PM-Daksh Yojana:

• Full Name: PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana.
• Launch Year: 2021.
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Duration: Approved for five years (2021-22 to 2025-26).
• Objective: To provide skill development training for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), Economically Backward Classes (EBCs), Denotified Tribes (DNTs), and Safai Karamcharis.
• Types of Training:
  • Short-Term Training for unemployed youth.
  • Upskilling/Re-skilling for employed workers.
  • Entrepreneurship Development Programme for self-employment.
• Number of Beneficiaries: 1,87,305 up to 2023-24.
• Financial Allocation: Rs. 80 crores for 2024-25.
• Training Providers: Government and private institutes empanelled under the scheme.
• On-the-Job Training (OJT): Mandatory for some courses in partnership with private industries.
• Awareness Initiatives: Publicity through newspapers and online platforms.

7. LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE INDEX

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2101760&reg=3&lang=1 )

Improvement of India’s ranking in International Shipments:

• Port Efficiency: Indian ports have reduced turnaround time for ships to 0.9 days, performing better than major countries like the USA, Australia, Germany, and Canada.
• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: This plan aims to expand port capacity, improve efficiency with automation, promote green initiatives, and develop hydrogen hubs for sustainability.
• Boost to Tourism and Workforce: The vision also focuses on developing coastal tourism, training the workforce, and strengthening India’s global maritime presence.
• Shipbuilding & Repairs: India plans to become a global leader in shipbuilding and increase its shipping capacity.
• Investment Commitments: The GMIS 2023 summit led to ₹10 lakh crore in investment commitments, including 360 MoUs and various maritime development projects.