1) Security Bond-2023: Naval forces from China, Iran and Russia — all countries at varying degrees of odds with the United States — are staging joint drills in the Gulf of Oman
- The three countries held similar drills last year and in 2019, underscoring China’s growing military and political links with nations that have been largely shunned by the US and its partners. This is the 3rd edition with other countries participating as well.
2) Senior advocates/lawyers in India: Under Section 16 of the Advocates Act 1961 two classes of advocates are classified; Senior Advocate and Junior or those who are not designated as seniors.
- Section 16(2) of the Advocates Act, 1961 and Rule 2(a) of Order IV of the Supreme Court Rules, 1966 provide certain guidelines to be followed for the designation of a senior counsel.
- However, the judges of the SC and HC had the sole discretion of according this status to advocates.
- A senior advocate is not permitted to appear without an Advocate-on-record or any junior.
- He/she is refrained from drafting pleadings or affidavits before any court or authority
- He/she shall not accept directly from a client any brief or instructions to appear in any Court.
- A senior cannot file any pleading or represent his client nor can draft an application by his own handwriting. The senior advocate must maintain a code of conduct, different from the other advocates.
3) Desalination Plant in Lakshadweep: The NIOT is working on an initiative to provide potable water in six islands of Lakshadweep using Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) technology. The NIOT is now trying to make this process emission-free. It will be the first of its kind in the world.
- Currently the desalination plants, each of which provides at least 100,000 litres of potable water every day, are powered by diesel generator sets.
- Currently there are five desalination plants in operation in the Lakshadweep islands.
- The proposed desalination plant will use a combination of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and wave energy to power the plant. The plant will be equipped with reverse osmosis (RO) technology to desalinate seawater and produce potable water.
4) Low Temperature Thermal Desalination Technology: LTTD is a desalination technique that turns seawater into drinkable water.
- This method is based on the idea that ocean water 1,000 to 2,000 feet below the surface is 4–8°C colder than surface water. Therefore, a tank is used to collect and apply high pressure to salty surface water (via an external power source).
- The vaporized water under pressure is contained in tubes or a chamber. Cold ocean water is drawn up via these tubes, where the vapour condenses to create fresh water and the salt that results is diverted away and the condensed fresh water can be used for drinking.
5) J P Singh Joorel panel: Set up by UGC chairman to examine the lapses in functioning of NAAC
- Irregularities found: Internal systems can be accessed by employees who are “no longer its employees”, temporary “consultants” have been given powers rather than regular staffers; universities issued A+ grades despite “wrong claims” in Self Study Reports (SSRs) which are alloted to only certain empanelled Data Validation and Verification (DVV) firms.
