{"id":83164,"date":"2026-08-26T18:13:46","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T12:43:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=83164"},"modified":"2026-08-26T18:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T12:47:24","slug":"news-in-short-26-08-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-08-2026\/news-in-short-26-08-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 26-08-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>China Accelerates South China Sea build-up with New Installations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: 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>Satellite images show that China has built an <strong>artificial island on the disputed Antelope Reef in the South China Sea<\/strong> and constructed infrastructure that expands its control over the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Paracel Islands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Antelope Reef is located in the <strong>Paracel Islands<\/strong> in the northern part of the South China Sea.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Paracel Islands<\/strong> are a group of about 130 small coral islands and reefs in the South China Sea.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They lie about 250 miles (400 km) east of central Vietnam and about 220 miles (350 km) southeast of Hainan Island, China.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>While China has controlled the Paracels <strong>since the 1970s,<\/strong> the archipelago is also <strong>claimed by Vietnam.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The dispute over the Paracels forms part of the broader South China Sea dispute in which China claims waters around almost every maritime nation in the region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>China is engaged in territorial disputes<\/strong> with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6e4e2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"883\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-243-883x1024.png\" alt=\"paracel islands\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-83167\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6e4e2; aspect-ratio:0.8623123315796227;width:467px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-243-883x1024.png 883w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-243-259x300.png 259w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-243-768x890.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-243.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 883px) 100vw, 883px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/economictimes.indiatimes.com\/news\/defence\/new-installations-emerge-on-islet-as-china-accelerates-south-china-sea-build-up\/articleshow\/133503211.cms?from=mdr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ET<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>UN Mission in South Sudan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: 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>India has condemned the attack on peacekeepers deployed with the <strong>UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Blue Helmets<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blue Helmets are the <strong>military personnel of the UN forces.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They wear distinctive light blue helmets or berets to<strong> remain visible and neutral<\/strong> while helping countries navigate conflict, monitor ceasefires, and protect civilians.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>United Nations Peacekeeping Missions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The United Nations Peacekeeping Missions are <strong>operations deployed by the United Nations to maintain international peace and security <\/strong>in conflict-affected regions.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>First peacekeeping mission<\/strong> was established in <strong>1948<\/strong>, to monitor the armistice between <strong>Israel and its Arab neighbors.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The United Nations Security Council<\/strong> establishes and defines UN peacekeeping missions by adopting formal Security Council Resolutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It serves as an important instrument of collective security<\/strong> and aims to prevent conflicts, protect civilians, support political processes, and assist countries in transitioning from conflict to peace.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key UN Peacekeeping Missions:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>MINUSTAH (Haiti):<\/strong> Worked for political stabilisation, security and humanitarian assistance in Haiti (2004\u20132017).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNMISET (East Timor): <\/strong>Supported stability, governance and security in East Timor (2002\u20132005).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNMIL (Liberia):<\/strong> Assisted peacebuilding, disarmament and post-conflict recovery in Liberia (2003\u20132018).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>MINURCAT (Central African Republic &amp; Chad):<\/strong> Focused on civilian protection and regional stability (2007\u20132010).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>UNMOGIP (India\u2013Pakistan):<\/strong> Monitors the ceasefire situation between India and Pakistan in Jammu &amp; Kashmir (since 1949).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>In 2026, Uganda is the top contributor of military personnel,<\/strong> followed by Nepal, Bangladesh and India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The United Nations Peacekeeping Forces<strong> were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Principles of UN Peacekeeping<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Consent of the Parties: <\/strong>Peacekeeping operations require acceptance from major conflicting parties to operate effectively.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impartiality: <\/strong>Peacekeepers must remain neutral and unbiased among parties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-use of Force Except in Self-defence and Defence of Mandate: <\/strong>Force may be used only in self-defence, to protect civilians, and to implement the mission mandate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/newsonair.gov.in\/india-condemns-attack-on-un-peacekeepers-deployed-with-un-mission-in-south-sudan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>5 Years of e-Shram Portal<\/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&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The e-Shram Portal completed five years, marking a significant milestone in strengthening social security for India&#8217;s unorganised workforce.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>e-Shram Portal&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was launched in<strong> 2021 by the Ministry of Labour and Employment<\/strong> &amp; developed by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It created the country&#8217;s <strong>first-ever Aadhaar-seeded National Database of Unorganised Workers.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides every registered worker with a unique <strong>12-digit Universal Account Number (UAN).<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has evolved into a one-stop digital platform integrating welfare, jobs, skilling, apprenticeship and pension services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Eligibility<\/strong>: Any worker aged 16 years and above, engaged in the unorganised sector, is eligible to register on the e-Shram Portal. A worker must not be an income tax-payer or a member of the Employees&#8217; Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) or the Employees&#8217; State Insurance Corporation (ESIC).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coverage<\/strong>: The portal covers a wide range of unorganised workers. These include construction workers, migrant workers, gig and platform workers, street vendors, domestic workers, agricultural workers, and other unorganised workers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c1d4df\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-242.png\" alt=\"e-shram portal\u00a0\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-83166\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c1d4df; aspect-ratio:1.461182538779535;width:488px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-242.png 602w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-242-300x205.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Objectives&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Facilitate convergence of welfare schemes across the Ministries and Departments for better delivery of social security services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Securely share worker data with government agencies through APIs. This helps in effective execution of social services and data based policy making.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure the portability and national availability of social security and welfare benefits for construction and migrant workers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build an extensive national database to enable prompt preparation and reaction in national emergencies and disasters.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c9d8e6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"602\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-241.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-83165\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c9d8e6; aspect-ratio:1.0451401133928329;width:497px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-241.png 602w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/08\/image-241-300x287.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 602px) 100vw, 602px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID=2303053&amp;reg=48&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>SEBI\u2019s IT Resilience Index (ITRI)<\/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>SEBI has introduced an IT Resilience Index framework for market infrastructure institutions to strengthen technology systems.<\/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 is a quantitative scorecard introduced by SEBI to measure the IT resilience, cybersecurity, reliability and disaster-recovery capabilities of Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to ensure critical market systems can withstand cyberattacks, technical failures and sudden transaction surges, and quickly restore operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Features of SEBI\u2019s IT Resilience Index (ITRI)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Shifts from periodic compliance checks to measurable, real-time resilience assessment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Uses<strong> nine risk-based parameters<\/strong>, with Availability and Cybersecurity carrying the highest weight (20% each).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Covers Business Continuity, Reliability and Scalability to ensure systems can recover quickly and handle market stress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Requires an Early Warning System (EWS)<\/strong> to detect performance issues before they trigger major outages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follows a <strong>\u201cresilience-first\u201d approach<\/strong>\u2014focuses not only on preventing failures but also on absorbing shocks and recovering quickly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports SEBI\u2019s wider technology agenda, including AI\/ML, SupTech\/RegTech and quantum-safe cybersecurity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/business\/markets\/sebis-itri-global-test-for-indias-future-ready-financial-architecture\/article71387811.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Lithium Carbonate\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Economy; Science and Tech&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>Lithium carbonate prices and energy storage cell costs continued to decline in recent months as the battery supply chain adjusts to expectations of stronger supply and a possible market surplus in 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Lithium Carbonate&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lithium carbonate is a<strong> lithium salt <\/strong>with the chemical formula Li2CO3.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Battery-grade lithium carbonate is primarily used to <strong>produce Li-ion battery cathode materials<\/strong>, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LCO), lithium manganate oxide (LMO), lithium iron phosphate (LFP), NMC111, NMC442, NMC532, NMC622, as well as alkaline batteries.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the glass industry, lithium carbonate is used to reduce the melting point of silica used in ovenware glass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In the ceramics industry, lithium carbonate is used to render color and shine.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/energy\/lithium-carbonate-prices-fall-103-energy-storage-cells-extend-decline-as-market-eyes-2027-surplus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DTE<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Satellite images show that China has built an artificial island on the disputed Antelope Reef in the South China Sea and constructed infrastructure that expands its control over the region. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> Paracel Islands <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Antelope Reef is located in the Paracel Islands in the northern part of the South China Sea.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Paracel Islands are a group of about 130 small coral islands and reefs in the South China Sea. <\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/26-08-2026\/news-in-short-26-08-2026\" 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-83164","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\/83164","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=83164"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":83174,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/83164\/revisions\/83174"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=83164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=83164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=83164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}