24th June 2021
India- US Exercise
News: Indian Navy and the Air Force started a two-day passage exercise with the U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Ronald Reagan while its transit through the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
About the exercise:
It is a bilateral multidomain exercise.
Aim of the exercise: This exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship and cooperation by demonstrating the ability to integrate and coordinate holistically in maritime operations.
INS Kochi and Teg of Indian Navy along with P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft and MiG 29K fighters are participating in the exercise.
The exercise is being held under Southern Air Command.
Indian Air Forces under four operational commands and include Jaguar and Su-30 MKI fighters, Phalcon and Netra early warning aircraft and IL-78 air to air refueller aircraft.
Draft report from the UN’s climate science advisers
It says climate change will fundamentally reshape life on Earth in the forthcoming decades.
Even if humans can control planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, climate change is expected to increase.
According to the predictions made earlier by such studies, it revealed that we were less likely to witness Earth-altering climate change before 2100.
However, this UN draft report says that prolonged warming even beyond the threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius could produce “progressively serious, centuries’ long and, in some cases, irreversible consequences”.
Iran Nuclear Deal
News: U.S.’s decision to block dozens of Iran-linked websites at a time when both countries are trying to revive the nuclear deal is unnecessary provocation
Why this action?
United states have accused these sites, of spreading disinformation
Earlier the tension were increased after election of Mr. Raisi, who has been sanctioned by the U.S. for his alleged role in the execution of political prisoners and other rights violations.
Impact: As per several experts this will lead to rise in tension between the two countries especially when both countries are trying to revive the nuclear deal.
Negotiations so far:
Multiple rounds of indirect talks in Vienna, along with other world powers have been held, however, a final agreement is yet to be reached.
Bottlenecks.
When the U.S. pulled out of the nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions. Iran started rebuilding its nuclear programme with higher-level fuel enrichment and production of centrifuges.
The United States of America also wants to discuss Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its regional activities. However, the Iranianan newly elected President has declined this demand.
Deep Ocean Mission
News: The Union Cabinet approved 'Deep Ocean Mission’, proposed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Aim: To study biodiversity, impact of climate change, and establish an offshore marine station to explore source of thermal energy.
Features:
It was set up to explore the Deep Ocean for resources and develop deep-sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources.
This type of technology and expertise so far is available with only five countries -- US, Russia, France, Japan and China. India will now be the sixth country to have it.
The mission will notice changes that are occurring because of climate change, to study more deep-sea biodiversity.
There will be a deep sea survey.
Further, an advanced marine station for ocean biology will also be set up.
And there will also be offshore ocean station (to explore) thermal energy as part of the mission