{"id":74548,"date":"2026-05-22T18:17:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T12:47:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=74548"},"modified":"2026-05-22T18:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T12:55:13","slug":"news-in-short-22-05-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-05-2026\/news-in-short-22-05-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 22-05-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>India\u2019s Cultural Diplomacy Through Gifts<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/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>PM Modi gifted traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, and regional artefacts to world leaders during his five-nation diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, and Italy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Gifts Presented to World Leaders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Italian PM<\/strong> Giorgia Meloni received a <strong>Muga silk stole <\/strong>from <strong>Assam<\/strong> and an off-white <strong>Shirui Lily silk stole from Manipur.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Muga silk, known as the <strong>\u201cgolden silk\u201d<\/strong> of Assam, is a rare textile produced in the <strong>Brahmaputra Valley<\/strong> without artificial dyes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Shirui Lily silk stole<\/strong> derives inspiration from the <strong>Shirui Kashong Peak of Manipur<\/strong> and the rare <strong>Shirui Lily flower.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Queen M\u00e1xima of the Netherlands was gifted<strong> Meenakari and Kundan earrings <\/strong>from <strong>Rajasthan.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Norwegian Leader<\/strong> Jonas Gahr St\u00f8re received a <strong>pressed orchid painting and orchid paperweights<\/strong> made from real pressed orchids and ferns of <strong>Sikkim.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Harald V<\/strong> was presented with a <strong>silver sailboat model crafted using Tarakasi, <\/strong>the traditional silver filigree art of<strong> Cuttack, Odisha<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Swedish Prime Minister<\/strong> Ulf Kristersson received a Santiniketan messenger bag from West Bengal along with works of Rabindranath Tagore.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UAE President<\/strong> Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received a <strong>Rogan painting <\/strong>featuring the <strong>\u201cTree of Life\u201d motif from Gujarat.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rogan art <\/strong>is a rare textile painting tradition from the<strong> Kutch region of Gujarat.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A box of Kesar mangoes<\/strong> from Junagadh, Gujarat, was also presented.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of Such Gifts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The gifts\u00a0 promote local artisans, traditional crafts, and <strong>Geographical Indication (GI)-linked products<\/strong> internationally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They strengthen<strong> cultural diplomacy <\/strong>and enhance <strong>India\u2019s soft power <\/strong>globally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/world\/modi-gift-india-culture-five-nation-tour-sweden-norway-italy-uae-netherlands-10700693\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Asian Productivity Organization (APO)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/International Groupings<\/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 hosted the 68th Asian Productivity Organization (APO) governing body meeting with focus on regional productivity cooperation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Asian Productivity Organization (APO)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Established in <strong>1961<\/strong>, it is a <strong>Tokyo-based intergovernmental body<\/strong> that promotes productivity enhancement across the Asia-Pacific region through mutual cooperation and capacity building.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The APO currently comprises <strong>21 member economies<\/strong>, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Taiwan, Fiji, Hong Kong (dormant), <strong>India<\/strong>, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, and Vietnam.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As one of its founding members, India has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization\u2019s vision and supporting its initiatives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2263921&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Electronic Cigarettes\/Vapes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/Health<\/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><strong>The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)<\/strong> has busted a <strong>large-scale e-cigarette (vape) smuggling racket<\/strong> across several ports and airports in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi and West Bengal.<\/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>Vapes or e-cigarettes<\/strong> electronically heat up a solution of<strong> glycerine, flavours and nicotine,<\/strong> the <strong>addictive substance in the cigarettes.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>While people use cigarettes for the nicotine hit, it is the tar from smoking that kills. This is the reason e-cigarettes were pushed as aid for smoking cessation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Concerns: <\/strong>There is not enough data to show that the use of e-cigarettes actually helps quit smoking and users end up using both cigarettes and vapes.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Besides, different flavours in vapes may prompt non-smokers to take up the habit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electronic cigarettes and all Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS)<\/strong> are prohibited in India under the <strong>Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was enacted in the interest of public health and to protect people from harm.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2263644&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>Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/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 National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched <strong>Electronic Gold Receipts (EGRs)<\/strong> to make gold trading more transparent, secure, and organised.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About EGRs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EGRs are <strong>digital securities <\/strong>that<strong> represent ownership of physical gold<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The actual gold is stored in <strong>SEBI-regulated vaults<\/strong>, while investors hold EGRs electronically in their <strong>demat accounts<\/strong>, similar to shares or ETFs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each EGR is fully backed by real gold, ensuring quality and authenticity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SEBI-registered <strong>Vault Managers<\/strong> provide storage services for the deposited gold.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How It Works?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Physical gold is deposited in accredited vaults and converted into EGR units.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These units can be traded on stock exchanges like other financial assets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investors can also convert EGRs back into physical gold when needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>EGRs connect the physical gold market with the financial system, improving transparency, liquidity, price discovery, and investor confidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The system benefits jewellers, refiners, traders, and retail and institutional investors.<\/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>Bond Yields<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/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>Indian government bond yields have risen sharply due to the West Asia conflict, rising inflation concerns, pressure on public finances, and expectations of future interest rate hikes by the RBI.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is a Bond?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A bond is a loan raised by governments or companies from investors for a fixed period in return for regular interest payments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The period until repayment is called the term to maturity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Bond Yield?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bond yield is the <strong>return an investor earns<\/strong> from holding a bond, expressed as a percentage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It depends on the coupon payment (fixed interest) and the market price of the bond.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Formula:<\/strong> Bond Yield = Coupon Amount \u00f7 Bond Price<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Bond Yield vs Bond Price<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"322d2d\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"532\" height=\"581\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-161.png\" alt=\"bond yield vs bond price\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-74551\" style=\"--dominant-color: #322d2d; width:275px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-161.png 532w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-161-275x300.png 275w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 532px) 100vw, 532px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>When market interest rates rise, older bonds offering lower interest become less attractive, causing their <strong>prices to fall <\/strong>and<strong> yields to rise.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>When interest rates fall, existing bonds with higher interest become more valuable, raising bond prices and lowering yields.<\/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>SEBI Proposes New Price-Discovery Mechanism For IPOs And Relistings<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/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 market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed significant reforms in the IPO and re-listing price discovery mechanism during the pre-open call auction session.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns with the Existing System<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>SEBI observed that the existing price discovery mechanism for IPOs and re-listed shares may <strong>lead to artificial suppression of opening prices due to restrictive dummy price bands<\/strong> and rejection of genuine investor orders.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This often results in<strong> sharp price increases and excessive volatility <\/strong>once normal trading begins, affecting fair and efficient market functioning.<\/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>Key Market Terminologies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Initial Public Offering (IPO):<\/strong> It refers to the process through which a company offers its shares to the public for the first time and gets listed on a stock exchange.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Re-listed Company:<\/strong> It refers to a company whose shares were earlier suspended or removed from trading and are subsequently listed again on the stock exchange.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Price Discovery: <\/strong>It is the process through which the market determines the fair price of a share based on demand and supply conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Proposed Changes<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Changes in Base Price Determination for Re-listed Stocks: <\/strong>If trading resumes within six months of suspension, the latest traded closing price within six months may be used as the base price.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If no recent traded price is available, exchanges may use <strong>valuation certificates <\/strong>from two independent valuers or chartered accountants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For stocks re-listed after more than <strong>six months of suspension<\/strong>, the base price would be based entirely on independent valuation reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reform of Dummy Price Band Mechanism: <\/strong>SEBI observed that restrictive dummy price bands were causing rejection of genuine investor orders.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In one case, around <strong>90% of buy orders were rejected<\/strong> during the call auction because they were outside the permitted price range.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SEBI has proposed <strong>automatic widening (\u201cflexing\u201d) of price bands by 10%<\/strong> whenever equilibrium prices approach the <strong>upper or lower limits.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stronger Conditions for Successful Price Discovery: <\/strong>A valid equilibrium price would require participation from<strong> at least five unique PAN-based buyers and five unique PAN-based sellers.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Currently, even a single matching order can determine the opening price.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Continuation of Call Auction for Re-listed Stocks:<\/strong> If price discovery fails on the first day for re-listed stocks, the call auction process may continue on subsequent days <strong>until a valid equilibrium price is discovered.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For IPOs, <strong>if no equilibrium price emerges,<\/strong> trading would shift to the normal market using the issue price as the base price.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>Present System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>IPOs and re-listed stocks <\/strong>currently undergo a <strong>one-hour pre-open call auction <\/strong>session between <strong>9 AM and 10 AM<\/strong> on listing day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mainboard IPOs presently operate with a dummy price band of <strong>-50% to +100% of the base price.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) IPOs currently have a <strong>fixed \u00b190% band<\/strong> without automatic flexibility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.moneycontrol.com\/news\/business\/markets\/sebi-proposes-major-ipo-relisting-rule-changes-to-improve-price-discovery-report-13927810.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Mint<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Arunachal Kiwi Mission<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/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 Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region launched a Mission on <strong>\u201cArunachal Kiwi: The USP of Arunachal Pradesh\u201d.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Mission<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The mission has an outlay of around <strong>\u20b9167 crore<\/strong> and seeks to strengthen the <strong>entire kiwi value chain<\/strong> \u2013 from cultivation and post-harvest management to branding, exports and agri-tourism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The mission aims to promote <strong>kiwi orchard tourism and farm-stay experiences<\/strong> in areas such as <strong>Ziro Valley and Dirang<\/strong>, combining horticulture with experiential tourism.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arunachal Pradesh <strong>currently contributes more than 50 percent of India\u2019s kiwi production<\/strong>, producing over <strong>7,050 metric tonnes<\/strong> annually.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, despite its <strong>dominant position<\/strong>, local farmers receive significantly lower prices compared to imported kiwi sold in domestic and global markets.<\/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:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><strong>About Kiwi or Chinese gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a nutrient-rich woody deciduous vine native to eastern Asia, known for its fuzzy brown skin, green\/golden flesh, and edible black seeds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It requires 700\u2013800 chilling hours below 7\u00b0C during winter and best suited to mid-hill regions (800\u20131,500 m altitude).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It begins fruiting in 4\u20135 years and attains full commercial production by 7\u20138 years.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/jyotiraditya-scindia-launches-rs-167-crore-arunachal-kiwi-mission-to-build-global-organic-kiwi-brand\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sperm Whales<\/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>Researchers have <strong>revealed that sperm whales, <\/strong>which communicate using clicking sounds, also vary the sounds in ways that resemble how humans use vowels.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These vocalisations show <strong>clear parallels with human phonology <\/strong>\u2014 the system of rules that organises sound patterns in human language.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Sperm Whale<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Name:<\/strong> Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sperm whales got their name because the semi-liquid, waxy substance in their head was first believed to be sperm.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Distribution:<\/strong> They occur throughout the world&#8217;s oceans and in the Mediterranean Sea.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Appearance:<\/strong> It is a large, dark-colored, toothed whale with a massive, square-shaped head that can make up more than a third of its body length.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sperm whales are the largest of the toothed whales.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"2d4059\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"623\" height=\"418\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-8.webp\" alt=\"sperm whale\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-74555\" style=\"--dominant-color: #2d4059; width:411px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-8.webp 623w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-8-300x201.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Threats: <\/strong>Deep-sea oil and gas exploration can cause multiple issues, such as loss of hearing, water pollution from hydrocarbons, and increased risk of being hit by ocean vessels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conservation Status:<\/strong> IUCN <strong>Vulnerable<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Protected <strong>under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act<\/strong> and possession or trade of any of its by-products, including Ambergris, is illegal.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are listed in <strong>Appendix I of the CITES<\/strong> (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>However, ambergris is not covered in CITES provisions as it is considered a <strong>naturally excreted waste<\/strong> product and trade of which is legal in many countries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ambergris&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ambergris means <strong>grey amber in French<\/strong>, is a <strong>waxy substance<\/strong> that originates from the <strong>digestive system<\/strong> of sperm whales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Due to its high value in the market, ambergris is often called the \u2018<strong>floating gold\u2019 and \u2018treasure of the sea\u2019.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/185796\/OPS\/GV4G0OV7U.1+GVVG0OVIK.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> PM Modi gifted traditional Indian handicrafts, textiles, and regional artefacts to world leaders during his five-nation diplomatic tour covering the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, and Italy. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Gifts Presented to World Leaders <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Italian PM Giorgia Meloni received a Muga silk stole from Assam and an off-white Shirui Lily silk stole from Manipur. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Muga silk, known as the \u201cgolden silk\u201d of Assam, is a rare textile produced in the Brahmaputra Valley without artificial dyes. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/22-05-2026\/news-in-short-22-05-2026 \" 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-74548","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\/74548","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=74548"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74548\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74556,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74548\/revisions\/74556"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=74548"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=74548"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=74548"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}