1) Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM): Russia test fires Bulava ICBM from its new Borei-class nuclear submarine —Imperator Alexander III.
- It is 12-metre long and has a range of about 8,000 km.
- Borei-K class submarines are equipped with a hydrodynamic hull that reduces boats’ acoustic signature (combination of acoustic emissions of sound emitters in ships and submarines).
- ICBMs have a range of over 5,500 km and have nuclear weapons delivery technology.
- North Korea, Russia, US, France, UK, China, India and Israel documented possession of land-based ICBMs.
- Agni-5, ICBM of India, was developed under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
2) Advocate-on-Record system in Supreme Court: AoR is a lawyer in the Indian legal system who is registered and authorized by SC to represent clients in that court.
- The Advocates Act provides two kinds of advocates i.e., Senior Advocates and advocates.
- However, the SC in the exercise of its rule-making power under Article 145, made a provision for AoR system.
- Supreme Court Rules, 2013 prescribe eligibility criteria for an AoR.
- Only AoR is entitled to file any matter or document before the SC.
- Senior Advocate is not entitled to appear without AoR in SC.
- No other High Court in India has a similar provision.
3) Snake Venom: Instances of using snake venom as recreational drug (chemical substances taken for enjoyment like cannabis) are found to be increasing.
- Snakes like cobras and Indian kraits were most commonly used to bite on consumer’s feet or tongue.
- Neurotoxins in snake venom have psychoactive (mindaltering) properties.
- Venom on entering human blood releases active metabolites like serotonin that have psychotropic effects like hypnotic and sedative.
- Snake bite results in paralysis, haemorrhage, kidney damage and permanent disability.
- Medicinal uses: Treatment of arthritis, cancer, viral diseases like measles, etc.
- Extraction and possession of snake venom without permission of Chief Wildlife warden is a criminal offence under Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
4) LEAP AHEAD (Launchpad for Tech Entrepreneurs towards Accelerated Growth and Pioneering AHEAD) initiative: It is a pan-India initiative to select tech startups for high-quality mentorship, securing investments & establishing global connections.
- LEAP AHEAD is designed for Tech Startups with Early Traction and in the Growth stage.
- A collaboration of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) and a group of Investors.
- It will enable startups to establish a product market fit, identify customer segments, grow hacking strategies, business compliance, leadership recruitment and fundraising.
- About STPI
- A premier S&T organization under MeitY.
- Engaged in promoting software exports, nurturing tech startup ecosystem etc
Places in News:
1) Tanzania (Capital: Dodoma):
- IIT Madras establishes first international campus in Tanzania’s Zanzibar.
- Political Boundaries
- East African country, borders Indian Ocean, situated just south of Equator.
- Bounded by Uganda, and Kenya (north), Mozambique and Zambia (south and southwest), and Burundi, and Rwanda (west).
- Geographical features
- Highest peak: Mount Kilimanjaro
- Major Rivers: River Congo, River Rufiji, and River Ruvuma.
- Major Lake: Lake Tanganyika (west), Lake Victoria (north), and Lake Malawi (aka Lake Nyasa).
- Parts of East African Rift pass through Tanzania, creating dramatic escarpments and volcanic features
