{"id":41716,"date":"2025-04-21T19:44:02","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=41716"},"modified":"2025-04-21T19:44:15","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T14:14:15","slug":"news-in-short-21-04-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-04-2025\/news-in-short-21-04-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short-21-04-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ras Isa Port<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Places In News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>US air strikes on Yemen\u2019s Ras Isa oil port kill at least 80 people.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Ras Isa Port<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a port located in the Ras al-Mashawn Peninsula, Yemen.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is situated on the Gulf of Aden, approximately 35 kilometers west of the city of Al Mahrah.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Marib\u2013Ras Isa oil pipeline is a critical component of Yemen&#8217;s energy infrastructure, linking the inland oil fields of Marib to the Ras Isa Marine Terminal on the Red Sea.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>ASI Documents Rock, Temple Inscriptions in T.N.\u2019s Pudukkottai<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 1\/History&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Archaeological Survey of India&#8217;s (ASI) Epigraphy Division recently documented inscriptions from <strong>Malayadipatti and Ponnamaravathi<\/strong> in Tamil Nadu\u2019s Pudukkottai district using the estampage method on maplitho paper.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Malayadipatti<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is located near <strong>Kudambeeswarar Temple<\/strong> and is a <strong>16th-century inscription<\/strong>, though partially damaged, it records a <strong>land partition agreement <\/strong>between Sundara Chozhapuram and Sevvalur villages for excavating a pond (oorani).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Near a spring (sunai), another inscription mentions King Raja Rajan Sundarapandyan and credits Udaiyan Perumal of Sevvalur for his contribution to the creation of the waterbody.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Ponnamaravathi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is an inscription on the western side of the sanctum dates to the 8th regnal year of Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It refers to the temple as <strong>Chozheeswarar Udaiya Nayanar Temple<\/strong>, under Uzhavalai Nadu, and records a donation of 40 panam for lighting five temple lamps.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Earlier inscriptions from the same temple, copied by ASI in 1909 and 2000, include one from the 6th regnal year of Raja Raja III, placing the temple under<strong> Rajendra Chola Vala Nadu.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These inscriptions offer valuable insights into regional governance, religious patronage, and community contributions to water management in historical Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Undertrial Period Cannot Be Counted for Remission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Kerala High Court has observed that a convict cannot claim remission of sentence for the period during which he\/she remained an undertrial prisoner prior to conviction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Remission<\/strong> refers to the reduction of the duration of a sentence without changing the nature of the sentence itself.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is granted by the appropriate government under provisions such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Section 432 of the CrPC<\/strong> (now Section 475 of BNSS).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under <strong>Articles 72 and 161<\/strong> of the Constitution by the <strong>President and Governors<\/strong>, respectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Court ruling<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The court observed that entitlement of remission arises only when an accused is convicted and admitted to prison as part of undergoing the sentence of imprisonment.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It drew a distinction between, <strong>Remission of sentence and Set-off of pre-conviction detention<\/strong> under Section 428 CrPC (now Section 468 of BNSS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Kochi\/undertrial-period-cannot-be-counted-for-remission-hc\/article69471157.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Jal Jeevan Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Jal Shakti Ministry seeks Rs 2.79 lakh crore more for<strong> Jal Jeevan Mission.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Jal Jeevan Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched by the Prime Minister in <strong>2019<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To provide tap connections to about <strong>16 crore rural households<\/strong> to achieve <strong>saturation coverage by 2028 (earlier 2024).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory components include:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Source sustainability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greywater management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Water conservation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rainwater harvesting<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mission Objectives:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Empowering Women: <\/strong>Reduces the burden on mothers and sisters of fetching water.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Improves health, education, and socio-economic status of women.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ease of Living: <\/strong>Enhances the dignity and quality of life of rural families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Approach:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Focus on Information, Education, and Communication (IEC).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aims to create a Jan Andolan (people\u2019s movement) for water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Achievements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Initial Coverage (2019): <\/strong>Only 3.23 crore rural households (17%) had tap water connections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Current Coverage (2025): <\/strong>12.20 crore additional rural households provided with tap water connections.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total: <\/strong>15.44 crore households, covering 79.74% of rural households in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/jal-shakti-wants-rs-2-79-lakh-crore-more-for-flagship-water-scheme-panel-clears-half-9955602\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Tardigrades<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ISRO is sending tardigrades to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Voyager Tardigrades experiment under the Axiom-4 mission.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Tardigrades, also called water bears or moss piglets<\/strong>, are micro-animals known for their extraordinary resilience to extreme environmental conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They were first discovered in<strong> 1773 by German zoologist Johann August Ephraim Goeze.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Characteristics:<\/strong> These creatures are usually between <strong>0.3 mm to 0.5 mm long<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They have <strong>eight legs with claws<\/strong> and segmented bodies protected by a cuticle.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tardigrades can <strong>survive extreme temperatures,<\/strong> and can endure high radiation, desiccation, vacuum of space, and even intense pressure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"4b6b7e\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #4b6b7e;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"259\" height=\"195\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Tardigrades.png\" alt=\"Tardigrades\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-41717\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/science\/story\/isro-shubhanshu-shukla-axiom-4-launch-experiments-space-station-tardigrades-2710906-2025-04-18\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India\u2019s first satellite, Aryabhata, completes 50 years<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Space<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India\u2019s first satellite, Aryabhata has completed 50 years.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Launched in 1975<\/strong>, the satellite was named after the <strong>ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer, Aryabhata.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The satellite, built by the Indian Space Research Organisation, was launched from Kapustin Yar with the <strong>assistance of the USSR.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To explore areas including Solar Physics, Aeronomy, and X-ray Astronomy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Specifications: <\/strong>Aryabhata was designed as a 26-sided polyhedron, measuring 1.4 metres in diameter and weighing 360 kilograms.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Except for the top and bottom, all the remaining 24 faces of the satellite were covered with solar panels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aryabhata marked <strong>India\u2019s entry into space exploration <\/strong>and laid the foundation for the country\u2019s future space missions.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With its successful launch, <strong>India was recognized as the 11th country in the world to send a satellite into orbit.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/indias-first-satellite-aryabhata-completes-50-years\/#:~:text=India&#039;s%20first%20satellite%2C%20Aryabhata%2C%20completed,Indian%20mathematician%20and%20astronomer%2C%20Aryabhata.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>2D Semiconductors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A team of 30 scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has proposed the development of<strong> angstrom-scale chips using 2D materials<\/strong> like <strong>graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs).\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Two-dimensional (2D) Semiconductors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors beyond graphene represent the thinnest stable known <strong>nanomaterials.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are regarded as promising candidates in many applications, including electronics and optoelectronics, because of their superior properties, including <strong>atomic-level thickness, tunable bandgaps, large specific surface area, and high carrier mobility.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These ultra-thin materials could allow the creation of chips far smaller than current nanometer-scale chips, potentially one-tenth the size of the smallest chips in production today (3-nanometer nodes).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Global Scenario\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The global semiconductor industry is currently dominated by silicon-based technologies, with major players in the US, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global investments in 2D <\/strong>material-based semiconductor research are significant, with Europe, South Korea, China, and Japan making substantial investments.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Status in India\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u00a0India&#8217;s largest semiconductor project, involving Tata Electronics and Taiwan&#8217;s PSMC, has an investment of Rs 91,000 crore.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The IISc-led proposal focuses on 2D materials to replace silicon and is viewed as a potential area where India can gain leadership.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It aims to position India as a key player in the emerging field of post-silicon semiconductors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Lucy Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nasa&#8217;s Lucy spacecraft completed a close flyby of the small main belt asteroid <strong>Donaldjohanson.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NASA&#8217;s Lucy mission <\/strong>was launched in <strong>2021<\/strong> to visit ten asteroids over 12 years \u2014 <strong>two asteroids<\/strong> in the main belt <strong>between Mars and Jupiter,<\/strong> and <strong>eight Trojan asteroids<\/strong> leading and trailing <strong>Jupiter <\/strong>in its orbit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Origin:<\/strong> Named after an ancient fossil <strong>3.2 million-year-old <\/strong>ancestor who belonged to a species of hominins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Spacecraft and Instruments:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>L&#8217;LORRI:<\/strong> High-resolution visible imager.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>L&#8217;Ralph:<\/strong> Optical and near-infrared imaging spectrometer.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>L&#8217;TES: <\/strong>Thermal infrared spectrometer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In 2023,<\/strong> the Lucy mission conducted a flyby of asteroid <strong>152830 Dinkinesh<\/strong> and discovered that it has a small satellite named <strong>Selam.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Asteroids<\/strong><br>&#8211; Asteroids, also known as <strong>minor planets or planetoids<\/strong>, are small, rocky bodies that orbit the Sun.\u00a0<br>&#8211; They are<strong> remnants of the solar system\u2019s formation,<\/strong> composed primarily of rock and metal.\u00a0<br>&#8211; <strong>Location: <\/strong>The majority of asteroids are found in the <strong>main asteroid belt<\/strong>, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter.\u00a0<br>1. Some asteroids go in front of and behind Jupiter, which are called <strong>Trojans.\u00a0<\/strong><br>2. Asteroids that come close to Earth are called <strong>Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indiatoday.in\/amp\/science\/story\/nasas-lucy-flies-close-to-asteroid-donaldjohanson-before-heading-to-trojans-2712060-2025-04-21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IT<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Report by Commissioner of Railway Safety for Vande Bharat Express<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Infrastructure&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A recent safety report by the Commission of Railway Safety warns that the Vande Bharat Express is at risk of serious accidents from cattle collisions due to its lighter leading coach.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Vande Bharat Express<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched in February 2019 as part of the <strong>Make in India initiative<\/strong>, evolved from its precursor Train 18.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is India\u2019s<strong> first semi-high-speed trains.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vande Bharat rakes are being manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory, Chennai; Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala; and Modern Coach Factory, Kapurthala, and Raebareli.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As on December 26, 2024, a total of 136 Vande Bharat train services are running across the railway network. In 2024 alone, 62 Vande Bharat train services were introduced.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Commission of Railway Safety<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It comes\u00a0 under the <strong>Ministry of Civil Aviation<\/strong>, and is responsible for ensuring the safety of rail travel and train operations in India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its roles, defined by the<strong> Railways Act (1989)<\/strong> and <strong>the Metro Railway (Operations and Maintenance) Act (2002)<\/strong>, include inspection, investigation, and advisory duties.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It operates based on <strong>statutory rules <\/strong>for accident investigations and executive instructions issued periodically.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recent Recommendation\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>report recommends several safety measures<\/strong>, including installing sturdy fencing along tracks to prevent human and cattle trespassing, eliminating level crossings on high-speed routes, deploying <strong>Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel <\/strong>at known trespassing zones, and sensitizing nearby residents.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Juvenile Colossal Squid Sighting<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Species in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A team of scientists, on board a research vessel in the South Atlantic, recorded a <strong>juvenile colossal squid, <\/strong>only a foot long, 2,000 feet under the ocean\u2019s surface.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First identified in <strong>1925 <\/strong>from arm fragments found in a sperm whale\u2019s stomach. Until now, no footage existed of a live colossal squid in its natural deep-sea environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Despite being massive, the colossal squid has <strong>rarely been seen in its natural habitat.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Its large, light-sensitive eyes may make it avoid bright, noisy research equipment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Most knowledge about the species comes from<strong> specimens found in whale stomachs or caught in trawl nets.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sperm whales are the <strong>only known predator of fully grown giant and colossal squid.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Differences Between Giant and Colossal Squid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Giant squid (Architeuthis dux) and colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni), the largest cephalopods (class of marine animals including octopii and cuttlefish), and possibly the <strong>largest invertebrates in the world.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Colossal squid: <\/strong>Up to 7 meters (23 feet) long.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Can weigh up to 500 kg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has a large, bulky body with shorter arms and tentacles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The lifespan of colossal squid is still uncertain.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Giant squid: <\/strong>Can grow up to 13 meters (43 feet).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Typically weighs up to 275 kg.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has longer arms and tentacles but a narrower body.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Estimated lifespan of giant squid: 2\u201312 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of the Sighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The juvenile sighting helps fill the knowledge gap between hatchling and adult stages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Could shed light on diet, mating behavior, migratory patterns, and lifespan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>May influence conservation strategies and policies, especially regarding deep-sea mining.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/confirmed-image-colossal-squid-deep-sea-creature-9954961\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Exercise Desert Flag-10<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A contingent of the Indian Air Force reached Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to participate in <strong>Exercise Desert Flag-10.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exercise Desert Flag is an <strong>annual multinational<\/strong> air combat exercise hosted by the <strong>UAE Air Force<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This year, it brings together the air forces of Australia, Bahrain, France, Germany, <strong>India<\/strong>, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, <strong>UAE<\/strong>, United Kingdom, and the United States.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>aim of the exercise<\/strong> is to undertake complex and diverse fighter engagements, with exchange of operational knowledge and best practices with some of the most capable Air Forces in the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2123037&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">US air strikes on Yemen\u2019s Ras Isa oil port kill at least 80 people.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About Ras Isa Port<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is a port located in the Ras al-Mashawn Peninsula, Yemen.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">It is situated on the Gulf of Aden, approximately 35 kilometers west of the city of Al Mahrah.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-04-2025\/news-in-short-21-04-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41716"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41726,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41716\/revisions\/41726"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}