{"id":79786,"date":"2026-07-21T18:23:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:53:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=79786"},"modified":"2026-07-21T18:26:46","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T12:56:46","slug":"news-in-short-21-07-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-07-2026\/news-in-short-21-07-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 21-07-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/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>India is setting up the <strong>National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) <\/strong>at <strong>Lothal in Gujarat<\/strong> to display the country\u2019s 4,500-year-old maritime history and the legacy of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-09-2024\/100-years-of-discovery-of-the-indus-valley-civilization\"><strong>Indus Valley Civilisation.<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lothal<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lothal was a <strong>major city of the Indus Valley Civilisation<\/strong> around 2400 BCE.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In Gujarati, its name means<strong> \u2018the mound of the dead\u2019.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The site was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) from 1955 to 1960, and a highly developed urban settlement and trading centre was found.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Archaeologists believe Lothal was strategically placed along a <strong>major river system <\/strong>that formed part of the old trade route linking Sindh to Saurashtra in Gujarat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its most important find is the <strong>oldest known man-made dockyard <\/strong>in the world, along with an acropolis, lower town, bead factory, warehouses, markets and sophisticated drainage system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The engineering skills of Harappans is reflected in the <strong>planned canals and dock facilities of the city.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lothal is one of the most <strong>important trading ports of the ancient world .<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Archaeological evidence suggests that<strong> Lothal was connected by trade with far off lands like Mesopotamia , Egypt and Persia .<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>UNESCO nomination&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Lothal site was nominated, in 2014, as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its application is pending on the tentative list of UNESCO.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>National Maritime Heritage Complex<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is a Rs 4,000 crore project, which was approved by the <strong>Union Cabinet in 2024.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is\u00a0 located around 80 km from Ahmedabad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will recreate Harappan streets, markets, dockyards and civic spaces, giving visitors a chance to experience ancient urban life beyond the traditional museum display.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The museum has been designed on the lines of Harappan architecture with elevated flood-resistant structures and ship-like forms.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The project aims to create a global cultural and educational destination to showcase India\u2019s ancient maritime prowess and the technological advancement of Harappan civilization.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :<a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/india\/lothal-gujarat-harappan-town-maritime-museum-indus-valley-civilisation-10794212\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Balochistan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Geography, GS2\/ IR<\/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>Pakistan recently launched <strong>Operation Shaban<\/strong> in Balochistan after attacks that killed policemen and civilians, bringing renewed attention to the long-running Baloch insurgency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Historical roots of the conflict<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accession of Kalat:<\/strong> Kalat was the largest princely state in present-day Balochistan during British India. At the time of Partition, the princely state of Kalat initially sought independence.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Under political and military pressure, the Khan of Kalat acceded to Pakistan in<strong> 1948.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baloch nationalists regard the accession as coerced, while Pakistan considers it legal and final.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sui gas grievance:<\/strong> Local resentment grew over the perception that Balochistan\u2019s natural resources benefited the central government more than local communities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Balochistan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Balochistan is the <strong>largest province of Pakistan by area<\/strong>, and covers approximately <strong>44%<\/strong> of the country&#8217;s landmass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Capital:<\/strong> Quetta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Borders:<\/strong> It borders Iran (west), Afghanistan (north), and the Arabian Sea (south).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Resources:<\/strong> It is rich in natural gas, copper, gold, coal, and other mineral resources.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reko Diq:<\/strong> One of the world\u2019s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saindak: <\/strong>A major copper-gold mining project operated with Chinese involvement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Significance:<\/strong> It hosts <strong>Gwadar Port<\/strong>, a key node of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-global\/bloodshed-balochistan-pakistan-resource-rich-conflict-10794141\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Mount Olymbus<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography&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><strong>Mount Olympus<\/strong>, the mythological home of Zeus and the ancient Greek gods, is being considered for<strong> UNESCO World Heritage status<\/strong> as Greece seeks protection for its tallest mountain.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The nomination, launched in 2014, is now being evaluated by Unesco\u2019s World Heritage Committee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Mount Olympus<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location <\/strong>:\u00a0 Mount Olympus\u00a0 (2,918 m) is the highest mountain in Greece and is located between Macedonia and Thessaly.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is known for its special microclimate, exceptional biodiversity and spectacular landscapes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mythological and Cultural Importance : <\/strong>It was revered in ancient Greek mythology as the home of Zeus and the Twelve Olympian Gods.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was described by Homer and Hesiod as the divine abode where Zeus defeated the Titans and reigned over Gods and men.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Archaeological findings,<\/strong> such as the Temple of Olympian Zeus on the peak of Agios Antonios and ancient settlements in the vicinity, testify to its longstanding religious and historical importance.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Olympus also has Christian heritage, with the 16th-century Chapel of Prophet Elias, the highest Orthodox chapel, and the Old Monastery of Hosios Dionysios.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Natural Heritage : <\/strong>In 1938 it was declared Greece\u2019s first National Forest and is known for its abundant ecosystems, with four distinct vegetation zones, from Mediterranean forests to alpine meadows above the highest tree line in the Balkans, with many rare and endemic plant species<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/rest-of-world\/mount-olympus-the-mythological-home-of-zeus-and-the-ancient-greek-gods-is-being-considered-for-unesco-world-heritage-status-as-greece-seeks-protection-for-its-tallest-mountain\/articleshow\/132490953.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TOI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Operation Vajra<\/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><strong>The Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN)<\/strong> prevented illegal trafficking of <strong>high-strength Tramadol Hydrochloride (250 mg) <\/strong>tablets under the <strong>Operation Vajra.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What makes this seizure particularly significant?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tramadol is a <strong>synthetic opioid painkiller<\/strong>, popularly known as the<strong> \u2018Fighter Drug\u2019. <\/strong>It has reportedly been misused by fighters, including ISIS militants, to suppress pain and fatigue.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While Tramadol has legitimate medical uses, its <strong>illegal diversion and misuse can lead to dependence<\/strong> and pose serious public health and security concerns.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 2018, India brought Tramadol under the ambit of the <strong>Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985<\/strong>, making its production and sale without approval from the Central Bureau of Narcotics illegal.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The seizure also highlights the larger challenge of drug trafficking in Asia, which is home to two major illicit drug-producing regions: <strong>the Golden Crescent and the Golden Triangle.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About CBN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Administrative Ministry: <\/strong>Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquarters:<\/strong> Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (shifted from Shimla in 1960).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The responsibilities of CBN cover the following:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Supervision over licit cultivation of opium poppy in India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Investigation of cases under the NDPS Act, 1985 and filing of complaint in the Court.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Action for tracing and freezing of illegally acquired property.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issue of licences for manufacture of synthetic narcotic drugs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Issuance of Export Authorisations\/ Import Certificate for export\/ import of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>India is a signatory to the <strong>UN Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971 &amp; UN Convention against the Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988<\/strong> which obligates member countries to monitor the implementation of the United Nations drug control conventions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2286819&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>NAMASTE Scheme<\/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>As part of its latest achievements, 89,915 Sewer and Septic Tank Workers and 2,81,117 Waste Pickers have been validated under the NAMASTE scheme.<\/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>National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE)<\/strong> is a flagship initiative to ensure the safety, dignity and social security of sanitation workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme aims<strong> <\/strong>to eliminate hazardous manual cleaning of sewers and septic tanks by promoting mechanised cleaning practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is jointly implemented by the <strong>Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The sanitation workers are provided with a range of benefits:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), health insurance, Ayushman Bharat coverage, occupational safety training, skill development, financial assistance for self-employment and access to modern mechanised sanitation equipment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It seeks to achieve <strong>zero fatalities in sanitation work and eliminate direct human contact with hazardous waste<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It also seeks to build a <strong>skilled sanitation workforce and promote entrepreneurship<\/strong> among sanitation workers through Self-Help Groups and other livelihood opportunities.<\/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=2286362&amp;reg=48&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>Magnetic Levitation<\/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>Japan has approved the building of its first <strong>500-km superconducting maglev (SCMAGLEV) railway connecting <\/strong>Tokyo and Osaka via Nagano, Nagoya and Kyoto.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Maglev (Magnetic Levitation)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Maglev means to lift a vehicle without any mechanical support with the help of <strong>magnetic field<\/strong> generated by either permanent magnets or electromagnets.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Maglev trains use powerful magnetic fields instead of wheels to lift and propel the train, eliminating rolling friction and enabling smooth travel at speeds exceeding 400 km\/h.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Technologies Used<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Electromagnetic Suspension (EMS)<\/strong>, where electromagnets on the train attract it to the guideway and keep it levitating about 10 mm above the track using sensors, and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Electrodynamic Suspension (EDS<\/strong>), where superconducting magnets induce electric currents in track coils to generate a repulsive force, allowing the train to hover about 100 mm above the track after reaching roughly 100 km\/h.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does the train move forward?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Movement is achieved through linear motors, in which alternating current (AC) in guideway coils creates a moving magnetic field that pulls the train forward and pushes it from behind<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u00a0regenerative braking and friction brakes ensure safe deceleration and emergency stopping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Benefits of Maglev (Magnetic Levitation)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Very high speeds (400-600 kmh)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Smooth and silent ride.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No rolling friction Less wear and maintenance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The high reliability in bad weather conditions.<\/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>Other Applications&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Magnetic levitation technology is not just for high-speed trains. It is used in magnetic bearings to suspend turbine and compressor shafts. This reduces friction and allows faster rotation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The same linear motor technology is used to launch aircraft off the runways of aircraft carriers.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In industries maglev systems provide fast, precise motion in semiconductor manufacturing, packaging, CNC machining, laser\/X-ray inspection, and DNA sequencing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scientists also use magnetic fields to levitate biological samples, liquids, molten metals, and small animals for research purposes.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In 1997, physicists Andre Geim and Michael Berry balanced Earth\u2019s gravity against a weak magnetic property called diamagnetism to levitate a frog, using a powerful 10-tesla magnet.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 2000, they were awarded the Ig Nobel Prize for their quirky experiment, and Geim went on to become the only scientist to win both an Ig Nobel and a Nobel Prize.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Constraints<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Requires dedicated tracks and stations; existing rail infrastructure cannot be reused.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Very high costs for building and maintenance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High passenger demand is essential for economic viability, and at speeds above 300 km\/h, aerodynamic drag becomes a major challenge, necessitating advanced streamlined designs.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/science\/how-magnetic-levitation-lifts-and-propels-high-speed-maglev-trains\/article71245433.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TH<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> In News <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> India is setting up the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal in Gujarat to display the country\u2019s 4,500-year-old maritime history and the legacy of the Indus Valley Civilisation. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Lothal <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Lothal was a major city of the Indus Valley Civilisation around 2400 BCE. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> In Gujarati, its name means \u2018the mound of the dead\u2019.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/21-07-2026\/news-in-short-21-07-2026 \" 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-79786","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\/79786","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=79786"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79786\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":79790,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79786\/revisions\/79790"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}