The NATO members agreed to increase defense spending from 2% to 5% of gross domestic product, by 2035.

• The members also reaffirmed its  commitment to collective defence.

About NATO

• Origin: In 1949 through the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty). 
• Objective: To deter Soviet expansion in Europe after World War.
• Headquarters:Brussels, Belgium
• Nature:
  • It is a political and military alliance of 32 countries from Europe and North America (Sweden is the latest member). 
  • It operates on the principle of collective defense (Article 5), meaning an attack on one member is considered an attack on all. 

Developing countries led by India forced reopening of discussions on developed nations' obligations to provide climate finance under Article 9.1 of Paris Agreement.

• Article 9.1 states that Developed countries shall provide financial resources to assist developing countries with respect to both climate mitigation and adaptation in continuation.
• During UNFCCC COP29 meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, developed nations had agreed to mobilise a sum of at least USD 300 billion per year from 2035. 
  • This is well short of the USD 1.3 trillion a year that is the assessed minimum requirement of the developing countries.

Cabinet approves establishment of International Potato Centre (CIP)’s South Asia Regional Centre at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

About CIP

• Genesis: Founded in 1971 and focuses on potato, sweetpotato and Andean roots and tubers.
  • It has a research presence in more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
• Objective: To improve root and tuber crop systems through partnerships and innovations to tackle climate, nutrition, and poverty challenges.
• Headquartered :Lima, Peru.

Ministry of External Affairs rolled out e-Passport and Passport Seva Programme 2.0. 

About e‑Passport

• An ePassport is a combined paper and electronic passport with a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Chip and an antenna embedded as an inlay of passport that contains the personal particulars and biometric information of the passport holder. 
  • The underlying technology supporting the security of the ePassport is the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution.
• ePassport safeguards the passport from forgery and potential fraudulent activities like fake passports while confirming the genuineness at border controls.

To tackle the vulnerabilities from climate change, environmental disclosure frameworks like Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) play a significant role for India.

About BRSR

• It is a mandatory reporting requirement for top 1,000 listed entities in India.
• Introduced by Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in 2012 as Business Responsibility Reporting (BRR). 
• Aim is to encourage listed companies to adopt sustainable business practices and disclose information related to their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance.

Crushed rock is now being spread over farmland in a new effort to fight climate change by removing carbon from the air.

• The technique is called Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) 

About ERW

• It is a climate solution designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere by speeding up a natural process where rocks absorb carbon.
• Methods of Enhanced Weathering
  • Crushing Rocks: Grinding rocks into fine dust increases their surface area, helping them react faster with CO₂ in the air or water.
• Common Rocks Used:
  • Olivine: Weathers quickly. Spreading its dust on beaches or in oceans may lock carbon and reduce ocean acidity.
  • Basalt: When applied to farmland, it not only captures CO₂ but also enriches the soil and boosts crop yields.

Danish pharma company Novo Nordisk launched its weight loss drug Wegovy in India.

• The drug semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, will be available in the form of injections to be administered once a week.
  • Semaglutide, works as an appetite suppressant by imitating a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).
    • GLP-1 is an intestinal hormone released after eating, and usually makes people feel fuller.
• Other weight loss drugs include Mounjaro, which is made up of tirzepatide (mimics function of GLP-1 and GIP).

Recently, Brent crude prices fell recently due to reduced tensions in the Middle East and fewer concerns about global oil supply disruptions.

About Brent Crude

• It a light sweet oil from the North Sea (since the 1960s), is the world’s most widely used benchmark for oil pricing.
  • It is used as benchmark for the light oil market in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East
• Other oil benchmark: West Texas Intermediate is the benchmark for the U.S. light oil market.

Dwarka Expressway has become the first in India to get an AI-powered Advanced Traffic Management System (ATMS). 

• It is being implemented by IHMCL (Indian Highways Management Company Ltd.).

About ATMS

• Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) are a set of technologies and techniques that are used to improve the efficiency, safety, and reliability of traffic on roads and highways. 
• Key components of ATMS include Traffic Monitoring Cameras, Video Incident Detection and Enforcement System (VIDES), Vehicle Actuated Speed Display System (VASD), Communication Network with Optical Fiber Backbone, ATMS Command and Control Center.