The United States and the Republic of Palau have recently intensified their efforts in maritime enforcement. With a new expanded bilateral law enforcement agreement, they aim to strengthen governance on the high seas. The agreement extends the enforcement jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard to apply within Palau’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), permitting the U.S. Coast Guard to take actions on behalf of Palau without the physical presence of a Palauan officer. This cooperative action promises to enhance maritime domain awareness and suppress illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities within Palau’s EEZ.
Addressing Rising Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) Fishing
Palau, an island nation located in the western Pacific Ocean, is joining hands with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) to tackle the mounting problem of IUU fishing. In recent times, illegal fishing has increased and posed a major threat to marine ecosystems. The strengthened agreement with the US will now allow proper enforcement regulations at sea within Palau’s exclusive economic zone, maintaining its rich marine biodiversity and ensuring sustainable fisheries.
Launch of Mahendragiri: Enhancing Naval Prowess
Adding to the naval might, Mahendragiri, the last frigate under Project 17A, is set to launch on 1st September 2023. Named after a mountain peak in Eastern Ghats situated in the state of Orissa, India, Mahendragiri is a technologically superior battleship. It follows the line of Project 17 Class Frigates, known as Shivalik Class, but comes with advanced stealth features, improved weapons, sensors, and platform management systems.
Profile of Project 17A and INS Taragiri
Project 17A frigates are designed domestically by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau, showcasing the country’s skills at advanced naval warfare technology. Mahendragiri is a proud manifestation of India’s effort to uphold its rich naval heritage and will strengthen India’s maritime security.
The Legacy of Ernest Rutherford
Ernest Rutherford, the renowned scientist who won the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1908, was a central figure in the study of radioactive substances. Rutherford made significant contributions to science with his hypothesis that helium gas could be produced from radioactive materials. His discovery of two types of radiation, alpha (α) and beta (β) particles, emanating from uranium, was groundbreaking.
Explaining the Gold Foil Experiment
Ernest Rutherford’s gold foil experiment is one of his most famous scientific investigations. In this experiment, a beam of alpha particles was directed at a sheet of gold foil. It was observed that while most of the alpha particles passed through the foil, a few were deflected backward. This experimental result led to the conclusion that atoms largely consist of empty space encircling a tiny, positively charged nucleus, which is surrounded at a great distance by negatively charged electrons. This experiment had a significant impact on our understanding of atomic structure.