UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA) SEEKS INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ) OPINION ON ISRAEL ILLEGAL OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE
Why in News?
- UNGA resolution (India abstained from voting) also asks ICJ on Israel’s measures aimed at:
- Altering of demographic composition, character and status of Holy City of Jerusalem.
- Adoption of related discriminatory legislation and measures.
Israel-Palestine Conflict
It dates back to early 20th century with Jews claiming Palestinian land as ancestral property while Arabs being the majority.- Between 1920-40, Jews migration to Palestine grew because of persecution in Europe.
- In 1947, UN voted to split Palestine into a separate Jewish and Arab state.
- Rejected by Arab states, it led to the declaration of state of Israel in 1948 and the first Arab-Israeli war.
- At ceasefire, Jordan occupied West Bank, Egypt occupied Gaza and Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan.
- In 1967, six-day war started between Arabs and Israel.
- At its end, Israel gained territorial control of Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt; West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan; and Golan Heights from Syria.
- Israel still occupies West Bank and East Jerusalem and built Jews settlements.
- In 2004, ICJ ruled that Israel’s wall in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem was illegal.
ABOUT International Court of Justice (ICJ)
- It is principal judicial organ of United Nation.
- ICJ, which is composed of 15 judges, has a two-fold role:
- To settle, in accordance with international law, legal disputes between States submitted to it by them.
- To give advisory opinions on legal matters referred to it by duly authorized United Nations organs and specialized agencies.
- Judgments delivered by ICJ in disputes between States are binding upon the parties concerned.
GS PAPER II NEWS
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RELEASED DRAFT NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION (AMENDMENT) BILL 2022
Why in News?
Draft bill seeks to amend the existing National Medical Commission (NMC) Act, 2019.
About National Medical Commission
- NMC is the apex medical education regulator, constituted by National Medical Commission Act, 2019, to:
- Improve access to quality and affordable medical education.
- Ensure availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals across India.
- Promote equitable and universal healthcare.
Key highlights of Draft Bill
- Introducing a fifth autonomous body, namely Board of Examinations in Medical Science (BEMS), under NMC.
- BEMS will take over the functions of National Board of Examinations.
- It will conduct National EXIT Test or NEXT, a common exam for Postgraduate Medical Education admission and a licentiate exam for medical Graduates (both who have foreign as well Indian degree).
- It will accredit medical institutions for diploma, diplomate and postgraduate fellowship, and super-speciality fellowships etc.
- Limiting court cases, filed by medical colleges/institutions against NMC/central government to Delhi High Court only.
- Provisions for patients/their relatives/complainant to prefer appeal in Ethics and Medical Registration Board/NMC against State Medical Council in relation to negligence/professional misconduct.
FOUR AUTONOMOUS INSTITUTIONS UNDER NMC
- Under-Graduate Medical Education Board: Sets norms for undergraduate courses.
- Post-Graduate Medical Education Board: Sets norms for post-graduate courses.
- Medical Assessment and Rating Board: Inspects and rates the medical education institutes.
- Ethics and Medical Registration Board: Regulates professional conduct of the doctors and registers them.
GS PAPER II NEWS
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE (MOD) SIGNS UP MOUS/AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER MINISTRIES TO AWARD DEGREES TO AGNIVEERS
Why in News?
- Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship exchanged MoUs with various stakeholders to facilitate continued education and awarding appropriate skill certificates to Agniveers.
Certificates and Bachelor degrees to Agniveers
- Under Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Institute of Open Schooling and Indira Gandhi National Open University, suitable Class 12 certificates and Bachelor’s degrees will be awarded to Agniveers.
- Market-ready and industry-accepted Kaushal Praman Patra will be issued at the time of their exit on the basis of job roles and skill sets mapped with National Occupational Standards (NOS).
About Agnipath Scheme
- It is a programme for recruiting Indian youth in the armed forces. Soldiers recruited under the scheme will be called Agniveers.
- Scheme envisages recruitment of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in army, air force and navy for four years, including six months of training.
- Around 45,000 to 50,000 soldiers, between age of 17.5 to 21 years will be recruited annually.
- Only 25% of total recruits will be allowed to continue for another 15 years under permanent commission.
- Other 75% Agniveers will be demobilised, with an exit or “Seva Nidhi” package and the proposed MoUs are about to benefit them.
GS PAPER III NEWS
URBAN FORESTRY AND URBAN GREENING IN DRYLANDS REPORT RELEASED BY FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO)
Why in News?
- Report was produced in framework of FAO’s Green Urban Oases Programme, launched to improve resilience of dryland cities by tackling climate, health, food and economic challenges.
- Program contributes to FAO’s Green Cities initiative that was launched in 2020 to improve livelihoods and well-being of urban and peri-urban populations in at least 100 cities around the world in next three years.
Key highlights of report
- Some 35% of the world’s largest cities (including New Delhi, Cairo etc.) are built in world’s drylands facing a high risk of social, environmental and economic crisis as they grow.
- Scarce rainfall and water supplies compound negative impacts of rapid urbanization on drylands, leading to overexploitation of limited resources, increased land degradation etc.
- Many dryland cities still lack a comprehensive urban forestry and greening strategy.
Drylands
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Recommendations
- At landscape level: Plan and maintain green spaces and select trees and other plants that are suited to local environment and cityscape.
- At community level: Boost community participation and a sense of ownership, also to provide incentives to encourage tree planting and building capacity through environmental education.
- At the governmental level: Establish strict regulations and safeguard urban greenery.
GS PAPER III NEWS
NTPC STARTS INDIA’S FIRST GREEN HYDROGEN BLENDING OPERATION IN PIPED NATURAL GAS (PNG) NETWORK
Why in News?
- Project has been started in National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) Kawas township, Surat.
- It is a joint effort of NTPC and Gujarat Gas Ltd (GGL).
- Natural Gas is a composition of hydrocarbons (Almost 95% Methane & rest other Hydrocarbons). PNG is same natural gas which is brought at consumer end through a Pipe Line network.
- Hydrogen blending process is integration of concentrations of hydrogen into existing natural gas pipelines and the resulting blends can be used to generate heat and power.
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), regulatory body has given approval for 5% blending of green hydrogen with PNG to start with and it would be scaled phase wise to reach 20%.
- Depending on production methods, hydrogen can be grey, blue, green, pink etc.
Benefits of Blending Hydrogen with PNG
- Reduces CO2 emissions keeping net heating content same.
- Will reduce hydrocarbon import bill significantly.
- India can also bring forex ashore by being a green hydrogen and green chemicals exporter to the world.
Challenges: Can weaken metal or polyethylene pipes and increase leakage risks, High Capital requirement in initial stage etc.
