{"id":69504,"date":"2026-03-20T22:27:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=69504"},"modified":"2026-03-20T22:34:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T17:04:28","slug":"news-in-short-20-03-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-03-2026\/news-in-short-20-03-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 20-03-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>South Pars and Ras Laffan\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography<\/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>Recent attacks on South Pars and Ras Laffan have heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf and raised global energy security concerns.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About South Pars Gas Field<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Located in the <strong>Persian Gulf<\/strong>, off Iran\u2019s southern coast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Part of the <strong>world\u2019s largest natural gas field<\/strong>, shared with Qatar (called <em>North Dome<\/em> on the Qatari side).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accounts for around<strong> 70%<\/strong> of Iran\u2019s natural gas production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Ras Laffan Industrial City<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Located in <strong>Qatar<\/strong>, on the Persian Gulf coast.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One of the <strong>world\u2019s largest LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) <\/strong>export hubs. Under normal conditions, about <strong>one-fifth <\/strong>of the world\u2019s LNG exports come from this single complex.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dadfe0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-123.png\" alt=\"About Ras Laffan Industrial City\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-69505\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dadfe0; aspect-ratio:1.605638850725763;width:514px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-123.png 920w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-123-300x187.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-123-768x478.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-economics\/south-pars-ras-laffan-strikes-significance-india-worries-lng-10590145\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Resilience &amp; Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation (RELIEF) Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ International Relations<\/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 Centre has launched the<strong> RELIEF Scheme<\/strong> to support exporters affected by disruptions due to the <strong>West Asia crisis.<\/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>The scheme provides <strong>credit insurance cover (financial protection against export losses)<\/strong> to exporters whose shipments are stuck or at risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It ensures <strong>insurance premiums at pre-conflict rates<\/strong>, reducing financial burden, with a focus on <strong>MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implemented through <strong>Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India (ECGC)<\/strong>, offering up to <strong>95\u2013100% loss coverage<\/strong> against war and political risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ECGC Ltd. is wholly owned by the Government of India, it was set up in <strong>1957<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objective:<\/strong>\u00a0 Promoting exports from the country by <strong>providing Credit Risk Insurance<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It functions under the administrative control of the <strong>Ministry of Commerce &amp; Industry.<\/strong>\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>Small Hydro Power Development Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Infrastructure<\/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 Union Cabinet has approved the <strong>Small Hydro Power Development Scheme<\/strong> for 2026\u201331 to boost <strong>clean energy (low-emission renewable power)<\/strong> and rural development.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Small Hydro Power (SHP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"182946\" data-has-transparency=\"true\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-124.png\" alt=\"SHP\" class=\"has-transparency wp-image-69506\" style=\"--dominant-color: #182946; aspect-ratio:1.4592833876221498;width:400px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-124.png 842w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-124-300x206.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-124-768x526.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Duration &amp; Capacity:<\/strong> FY 2026\u201327 to 2030\u201331 with <strong>\u20b92,584.6 crore outlay<\/strong> to develop ~1500 MW capacity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Investment &amp; Employment:<\/strong> Expected to attract <strong>\u20b915,000 crore investment<\/strong> and generate <strong>~51 lakh person-days of employment<\/strong>, especially in NE and hilly regions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Financial Assistance:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>NE &amp; Border Areas:<\/strong> \u20b93.6 crore\/MW or 30% cost (max \u20b930 crore\/project).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Other States:<\/strong> \u20b92.4 crore\/MW or 20% cost (max \u20b920 crore\/project).<\/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>World Happiness Report 2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: Miscellaneous<\/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 <strong>World Happiness Report 2026 <\/strong>highlights that heavy social media use is adversely affecting the well-being of young people across many countries.<\/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>The annual report is published by the <strong>University of Oxford\u2019s Wellbeing Research Centre<\/strong> in partnership with <strong>Gallup<\/strong>, and the <strong>UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Six factors<\/strong> for evaluation of happiness ranking:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>GDP per capita,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Life expectancy,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social support,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freedom to make life choices,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generosity,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Perceptions of corruption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Top 3: <\/strong>Finland (1st, since 2018), Iceland (2nd), and Denmark (3rd).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bottom 3: <\/strong>Malawi (145th), Sierra Leone (146th), and Afghanistan (147th).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>India: <\/strong>Ranked 116th (improved from 118th in 2025).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do you know<\/strong><strong>?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The 2026 rankings mark the second year in a row that none of the English-speaking countries appear in the top 10. The United States is at 23rd place, Canada is at 25th and Britain at 29th.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/trending\/top-10-listing\/world-happiness-report-2026-top-10-countries-india-ranks-10589763\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Recent attacks on South Pars and Ras Laffan have heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf and raised global energy security concerns. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About South Pars Gas Field <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Located in the Persian Gulf, off Iran\u2019s southern coast. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Part of the world\u2019s largest natural gas field, shared with Qatar (called North Dome on the Qatari side). <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Accounts for around 70% of Iran\u2019s natural gas production. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-03-2026\/news-in-short-20-03-2026 \" 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-69504","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\/69504","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=69504"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69512,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69504\/revisions\/69512"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69504"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}