{"id":70653,"date":"2026-04-01T18:32:04","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=70653"},"modified":"2026-04-01T18:36:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T13:06:56","slug":"news-in-short-01-04-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/01-04-2026\/news-in-short-01-04-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 01-04-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Bab el-Mandab Strait<\/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>Concerns have risen over the possible disruption of the <strong>Bab el-Mandab Strait<\/strong>, following the entry of the <strong>Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen<\/strong> into the ongoing <strong>Middle East conflict<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"beb5a0\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"598\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6-1024x598.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-70658\" style=\"--dominant-color: #beb5a0; aspect-ratio:1.7121564381031242;width:324px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6-1024x598.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6-300x175.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6-768x449.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-6.png 1356w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>Bab el-Mandab Strait<\/strong>, also known in Arabic as the <strong>\u201cGate of Tears,\u201d<\/strong> is located at the <strong>southern tip of the Red Sea<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It lies between <strong>Yemen<\/strong> on one side and the <strong>Horn of Africa<\/strong> on the other.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It connects the <strong>Red Sea<\/strong> with the <strong>Gulf of Aden<\/strong>, and further with the <strong>Indian Ocean<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is one of the world\u2019s most important <strong>maritime chokepoints<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Strategic Importance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bab el-Mandab accounts for roughly <strong>10\u201312% of global oil and natural gas shipments<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is strategically important because it connects with the <strong>Suez Canal<\/strong>, which further links it to the <strong>Mediterranean Sea<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is also linked to the <strong>SUMED pipeline<\/strong>, making it a vital corridor for global energy and trade flows.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>According to the <strong>US Energy Information Administration<\/strong>, more than <strong>30 million tonnes of natural gas<\/strong> passed through this strait in the <strong>first 11 months of 2023<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It also carried large volumes of <strong>container traffic<\/strong>,and around <strong>12% of total seaborne-traded oil<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: AIR<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Samrat Samprati<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Culture<\/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 Prime Minister inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Sangrahalay (Jain Heritage Museum) at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Samrat Samprati<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A Mauryan emperor and grandson of emperor Ashoka.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Also known by the names Indrapalit, Sangat, and Vigatashok.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>His life is described in Jain scriptures including Sampratikatha, Parishistaparva, and Prabhavakcharita.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Referred to as &#8216;Jain Ashoka&#8217; for his pivotal role in spreading Jainism and the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) across the subcontinent.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PM Modi noted that Samrat Samprati expanded ahimsa from the throne and propagated Satya (Truth), Asteya (non-stealing), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness) with detachment and selflessness \u2014 treating power as service and sadhana. Prime Minister of India<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Known to have built and repaired many Jain temples across the subcontinent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>CSIR Transfers Indigenous Bio-Bitumen Technology<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/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 Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) organised a <strong>Technology Transfer Event for its innovative technology titled \u201cBio-Bitumen from Lignocellulosic Biomass \u2013 From Farm Residue to Roads\u201d.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bio-Bitumen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Developed By: <\/strong>Jointly CSIR-Central Road Research Institute and CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has been developed for adoption by the <strong>Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in road construction.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>bio-bitumen technology<\/strong> utilises <strong>agricultural biomass and crop residues<\/strong> as feedstock through a <strong>thermochemical conversion process,<\/strong> producing a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to petroleum-based bitumen.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The technology has demonstrated <strong>performance equivalent to conventional bitumen <\/strong>while offering substantial environmental and economic benefits.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance: <\/strong>The initiative will help in <strong>reducing pollution<\/strong> from crop residue burning.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India currently <strong>imports nearly 50% of its bitumen<\/strong> requirement, and innovations like bio-bitumen would <strong>significantly reduce foreign dependence <\/strong>while strengthening domestic capabilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Bitumen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Bitumen <\/strong>is a <strong>black, viscous mixture of hydrocarbons<\/strong> produced by the <strong>fractionation of crude oil,<\/strong> and it serves as a <strong>crucial binder in road construction.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The process of making bio-bitumen involves <strong>collection of post-harvest rice straw, palletisation, pyrolysis to produce bio-oil,<\/strong> and subsequent <strong>blending with conventional bitumen.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2246872&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ultraluminous x-ray Source (ULX)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ S&amp;T<\/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>Scientists from the Raman Research Institute (RRI) have analysed rare, repeating bursts of energy from a distant ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a ULX?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The study focuses on ULX M74 X-1, located in the spiral galaxy M74, where astronomers observed irregular but recurring X-ray flares.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ULXs are systems in which a compact object\u2014such as a black hole or neutron star\u2014pulls in matter from a companion star.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This process, known as accretion, releases enormous amounts of energy.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In some cases, these sources exceed the Eddington limit, the theoretical maximum brightness an object can achieve, by more than 100 times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ULXs (Ultraluminous X-ray Sources) are accreting binary systems, a compact object (black hole or neutron star) pulling in material from a companion star.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Eddington limit is the cap on how bright a celestial object can shine, and it depends mainly on the object&#8217;s mass.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ULXs consume material so fast that they become more luminous than this critical limit \u2014 sometimes by over 100 times.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/rri-study-reveals-clues-to-nature-of-ultraluminous-x-ray-source\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DDNews<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Space<\/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 <strong>Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)<\/strong> has opened applications for the second edition of<strong> IN-SPACe\u2019s Model Rocketry Competition<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About IN-SPACe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was an autonomous single-window nodal agency under the <strong>Department of Space (DoS) established in 2020<\/strong> as part of India&#8217;s space sector reform announcements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"bdcedd\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #bdcedd;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"274\" height=\"236\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Screenshot-2026-04-01-183533.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-70660\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was established to promote, enable, authorise, and supervise various space activities of<strong> Non-Governmental Entities (NGEs).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its responsibilities include enabling the <strong>building of launch vehicles and satellites<\/strong>, supporting the provision of <strong>space-based services<\/strong>, facilitating the <strong>sharing of space infrastructure and premises<\/strong> under <strong>DoS\/ISRO<\/strong>, and supporting the <strong>establishment of new space infrastructure and facilities<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Recent Initiatives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Technology Adoption Fund (TAF): <\/strong>Announced in February 2025, a \u20b9500 crore fund to assist space technology companies, with focus on startups and MSMEs in developing commercially viable products.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Satellite Bus as a Service (SBaaS): <\/strong>Launched in April 2025, enables Indian NGEs to develop indigenous small satellite bus platforms for hosted payload services.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>FDI Policy Reform: <\/strong>Government amended FDI policy to allow 100% FDI in most space sectors, attracting international investment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Environment<\/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 Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has notified the<strong> Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026.<\/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>It replaced the <strong>2016 framework, <\/strong>with effect from <strong>April 1, 2026.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is issued under the <strong>Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To strengthen waste handling through the principles of circular economy and extended producer responsibility<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory Segregation: <\/strong>It has the mandatory four-stream segregation of waste at source &#8211; wet, dry, sanitary and special care waste.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Wet waste <\/strong>such as food and organic matter must be composted or processed locally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dry waste <\/strong>including plastic, paper and metal will be routed to material recovery facilities for recycling.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sanitary and hazardous household waste<\/strong> will require separate handling through authorised channels.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accountability of Bulk Generators: <\/strong>The rules tighten accountability for bulk waste generators, mandating on-site processing where feasible and introducing an Extended Bulk Waste Generator Responsibility mechanism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Governance:<\/strong> The Central Pollution Control Board is set to roll out a centralised online portal to track the entire waste lifecycle, from generation to disposal.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The system will also streamline registrations, reporting and audits of waste facilities.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Defined Role:<\/strong> Local bodies have been assigned a more defined role in collection, segregation and transportation, with material recovery facilities formally recognised as key sorting hubs.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The rules also promote the<strong> use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in industries,<\/strong> raising the substitution rate from 5% to 15% over six years.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a high-calorific fuel p<strong>roduced by processing non-recyclable municipal solid waste (MSW).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Provisions for Hilly and Island Regions: <\/strong>It includes user fees for tourists and decentralised waste processing by hotels and establishments, aimed at reducing environmental pressure in ecologically sensitive areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/new-waste-rules-from-april-1-four-way-segregation-mandatory-strict-penalties-for-violations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> In News <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Concerns have risen over the possible disruption of the Bab el-Mandab Strait, following the entry of the Iran-backed Houthis of Yemen into the ongoing Middle East conflict. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> The Bab el-Mandab Strait, also known in Arabic as the \u201cGate of Tears,\u201d is located at the southern tip of the Red Sea. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It lies between Yemen on one side and the Horn of Africa on the other. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, and further with the Indian Ocean. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/01-04-2026\/news-in-short-01-04-2026 \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"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-70653","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\/70653","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\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70653"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70653\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":70662,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70653\/revisions\/70662"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70653"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70653"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70653"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}