{"id":69426,"date":"2026-03-19T18:27:54","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T12:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=69426"},"modified":"2026-03-20T22:29:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T16:59:19","slug":"news-in-short-19-03-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-03-2026\/news-in-short-19-03-2026","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 19-03-2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Adipose Tissue<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Health, GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/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 scientific research has highlighted that adipose tissue (fat) is not merely a passive storage site for excess calories but an active metabolic and endocrine organ.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What is Fat (Adipose Tissue)?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Adipose tissue is a <strong>specialised connective tissue<\/strong> responsible for <strong>storage of excess energy<\/strong> in the form of fat, regulation of metabolism through <strong>hormone secretion <\/strong>and protection and <strong>insulation of vital organs.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It functions as an endocrine organ by releasing hormones such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Leptin: <\/strong>Regulates appetite and energy balance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adiponectin:<\/strong> Enhances insulin sensitivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Types of Fat (Adipose Tissue)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>White Adipose Tissue (WAT): <\/strong>It is the <strong>most abundant form of fat <\/strong>in adults and has functions like;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Storing energy as triglycerides<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Acting as a metabolic reserve during energy deficit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Providing insulation and mechanical cushioning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Secreting hormones regulating metabolism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT): <\/strong>It is the specialized fat that burns energy to generate heat (thermogenesis). It is rich in mitochondria and contains Uncoupling Protein-1 (UCP1).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Beige adipose tissue (BeAT): <\/strong>It is a thermogenic, &#8220;brown-like&#8221; fat that emerges within white adipose tissue (WAT) depots, typically in response to cold exposure or adrenergic stimulation, a process known as &#8220;browning&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/health\/fat-cells-burn-energy-to-make-heat-making-them-the-next-frontier-of-weight-loss-therapies\/article70748998.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)<\/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>US President Donald Trump has warned of leaving the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after its allies declined to assist in securing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-02-2026\/news-in-short-19-02-2026\">Strait of Hormuz<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About NATO<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Establishment:<\/strong> A military alliance founded in <strong>1949<\/strong> with the signing of the <strong>North Atlantic Treaty<\/strong>, more popularly known as the Washington Treaty, in the aftermath of <strong>World War II<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Aim: <\/strong>To ensure the security and defence of member states through the principle of collective defence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collective Defense:<\/strong> The cornerstone of NATO is <strong>Article 5<\/strong>, which states that an armed attack against one or more of its members shall be considered an attack against all.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Members:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Founding members: <\/strong>Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Present strength:<\/strong> 32 member countries (<strong>Finland<\/strong> and <strong>Sweden <\/strong>became the 31st and 32nd members respectively).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decision-Making: <\/strong>Decisions within NATO are made on the basis of <strong>consensus among member countries.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The North Atlantic Council,<\/strong> which includes the ambassadors of all member countries, is the <strong>principal political decision-making body.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquartered: <\/strong>Brussels, Belgium.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-global\/why-nato-not-joining-us-israel-war-iran-trump-explained-10585203\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>IE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>PM POSHAN Scheme<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Welfare Scheme<\/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>A Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended the inclusion of breakfast in the<strong> PM POSHAN Scheme &amp; extension of coverage up to Class 12<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About PM-POSHAN<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Earlier known as Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) and renamed as PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman) in 2021.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It operates under the <strong>Ministry of Education<\/strong> and is approved for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a <strong>centrally sponsored scheme (jointly funded by Centre and States)<\/strong> providing <strong>one hot cooked meal<\/strong> to students in <strong>government and aided schools up to Class 8<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It aims to address <strong>hunger (lack of adequate food intake)<\/strong> and <strong>educational outcomes (attendance, retention, learning)<\/strong> simultaneously.<\/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>Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/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 Union Cabinet<\/strong> approved the<strong> Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna (BHAVYA),<\/strong> with an allocation of \u20b933,660 crore.\u00a0<\/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>Aim: <\/strong>To create <strong>100 \u201cfuture ready\u201d<\/strong> industrial parks that will integrate with the <strong>PM GatiShakti programme<\/strong> so that they can avail of that programme\u2019s multi-modal connectivity and last-mile access.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These parks will <strong>set new benchmarks<\/strong> in industrial infrastructure, ensuring reliability, reducing inefficiencies, and enhancing productivity across sectors.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Land Use: <\/strong>Industrial parks ranging from 100 to 1,000 acres will be taken up for the development.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Funding: <\/strong>While the Central government will provide funding of up to Rs 1 crore per acre, the scheme is meant to include the involvement of the respective State governments as well as the private sector.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Infrastructure: <\/strong>Core infrastructure like internal roads, underground utilities, drainage, common treatment facilities, ICT and administrative systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC)<\/strong>, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, will play a key role in implementing the initiative.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The scheme duration would be for<strong> six years <\/strong>starting in <strong>2026-27.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The first phase of development would see <strong>50 parks being set up.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/incoming\/cabinet-approves-33660-crore-bhavya-scheme-for-100-new-industrial-parks-by-2032\/article70758371.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Methane Emission Hotspot<\/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>Recent satellite-based research by the Stop Methane Project (UCLA) has revealed that a small number of oil and gas sites account for disproportionately high methane emissions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Findings of the Report<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Around <strong>4,000+ methane plumes <\/strong>were detected globally across thousands of oil and gas sites.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The top 25 sites are responsible for the most acute hourly emission rates recorded, ranging from <strong>3.7 to 10.5 metric tonnes per hour.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Turkmenistan<\/strong> dominates the list, hosting over <strong>two-thirds of the worst emitters, <\/strong>while other major emitting regions include <strong>Iran, Venezuela, Texas (USA) and Sindh (Pakistan).<\/strong><\/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 Methane<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Methane (CH\u2084) is a<strong> colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas,<\/strong> and it is the primary component of natural gas.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime of about <strong>12 years<\/strong>, compared to carbon dioxide.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Methane as a Greenhouse Gas:<\/strong> Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas with a strong short-term warming impact.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is over 80 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat over a 20-year period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is responsible for around 30% of the current global warming since the pre-industrial era.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Sources: <\/strong>Human-driven emissions arise mainly from oil and gas production, coal mining, <strong>livestock enteric fermentation (burps)<\/strong>, and decomposing waste in landfills.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Natural sources include <strong>Wetlands<\/strong>, marine sediments and hydrates and geological Sources like <strong>volcanoes.<\/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.downtoearth.org.in\/climate-change\/methanes-heavy-hitters-turkmenistan-tops-list-of-worst-emitting-oil-and-gas-sites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Ancient Hill Range<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/ Geography<\/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 central empowered committee of the Supreme Court (SC) has assigned the task of mapping mining areas in the Aravalli hills of Rajasthan to the Forest Survey of India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Defining an Ancient Hill Range<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An <strong>ancient hill range (geologically old, highly eroded mountain system)<\/strong> like the Aravallis cannot be reduced to a <strong>single measurable parameter such as elevation<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its definition must integrate <strong>geomorphology (study of landforms), slope, geological continuity, and ecological spread<\/strong>, ensuring that both <strong>physical form and environmental function<\/strong> are captured.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concerns in the Current Approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The committee\u2019s <strong>100m elevation criterion<\/strong> is criticized as <strong>arbitrary and reductionist<\/strong>, failing to account for the fragmented, eroded nature of ancient ranges.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This threshold risks excluding ecologically vital low-lying segments, inviting exploitation.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conversely, the <strong>2011 FSI mapping <\/strong>offers a scientifically validated alternative using <strong>remote sensing, GIS, and digitized contour data<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It utilizes a <strong>3-degree slope threshold,<\/strong> which more accurately captures terrain morphology than elevation alone.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The committee&#8217;s framework recognizes only 37 districts, significantly omitting 25 of the 62 districts previously identified by the FSI, thereby compromising territorial and scientific consistency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Implications<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rajasthan has only <strong>~8% forest and tree cover (vegetative land area)<\/strong>, largely concentrated in the Aravalli region.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Misclassification could lead to <strong>loss of legal protection<\/strong>, accelerating <strong>mining, deforestation, and groundwater depletion<\/strong>, thereby disturbing an already <strong>fragile ecological balance<\/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>Do you Know?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Forest Survey of India (FSI) (estd.1981), under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, is the premier national body for monitoring India\u2019s forest resources.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its core mandate includes publishing the biennial State of Forest Report to assess cover changes and maintaining a comprehensive inventory of tree resources in forest and non-forest areas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Japanese Chum Salmon<\/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>Researchers found that suitable marine habitats for <strong>chum salmon<\/strong> h<strong>ave shifted significantly over the past 25 years.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Suitable habitats have declined<\/strong> overall due to ocean warming, reduced zooplankton which are an important food source, and increasingly frequent marine heatwaves.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Japanese chum salmon<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is known in Japan as <strong>\u201cshirozake,\u201d or salmon.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It has faint vertical stripes and silvery sides.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Chum are a staple for people in the western Pacific and for native peoples in Alaska and British Columbia.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Today, most of the salmon consumed in Japan is imported from countries like Chile and Norway.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>But just two decades ago, Japanese chum salmon made up a much larger share of domestic salmon consumption.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e4e1d8\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e4e1d8;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-112.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-69427\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-112.png 470w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image-112-300x100.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.downtoearth.org.in\/wildlife-biodiversity\/decline-in-japanese-chum-salmon-linked-to-climate-change-study\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DTE<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Recent scientific research has highlighted that adipose tissue (fat) is not merely a passive storage site for excess calories but an active metabolic and endocrine organ. <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> What is Fat (Adipose Tissue)? <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Adipose tissue is a specialised connective tissue responsible for storage of excess energy in the form of fat, regulation of metabolism through hormone secretion and protection and insulation of vital organs. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It functions as an endocrine organ by releasing hormones such as: <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Leptin: Regulates appetite and energy balance <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/19-03-2026\/news-in-short-19-03-2026 \" 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-69426","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\/69426","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=69426"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69426\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69431,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69426\/revisions\/69431"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=69426"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=69426"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=69426"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}