The UN declares December 21 as World Meditation Day. 

About World Meditation Day

• Resolution introduced by Liechtenstein & co-sponsored by India, was unanimously adopted by 193-member United Nations General Assembly. 
• Aim: It is aimed at comprehensive human well-being, including mental, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions.

Significance of December 21

• Winter Solstice: Marks the beginning of Uttarayana (auspicious time for inner reflection) in Indian tradition.
• Complementary Date: Falls exactly six months after June 21, celebrated as the International Day of Yoga (Summer Solstice).

Indian Institute of Astrophysics astronomers spot ultraviolet emissions from novae in Andromeda galaxy for the first time.

• They used AstroSat data of Andromeda galaxy to spot the emission. 

About Andromeda Galaxy (Messier 31)

• It is the nearest major galaxy to the Milky Way.
• It is Spiral Galaxy approximately 2.5 million light-years away from earth.
• M31 is located in constellation Andromeda. 

AstroSat Mission

• First dedicated Indian astronomy mission aimed at studying celestial sources in X-ray, optical and UV spectral bands simultaneously.
• It enables the simultaneous multi-wavelength observations of various astronomical objects with a single satellite.

The Ministry of Mines granted tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited, sparking strong opposition from the public, environmentalists, and politicians due to concerns over the biodiversity-rich heritage area in Melur.

About Tungsten

• Appearance: A shiny, silvery-white metal.
• Properties: Highest melting point of all metals;
• Principal tungsten-containing ores: Scheelite and Wolframite.
• Uses: Filaments of light bulbs, arc-welding electrodes, Tungsten carbide as a new ‘painless’ dental drill which spins at ultra-high speeds. 
• Issues: Not very energy efficient; they produce much more heat than light.
• As per Second Schedule of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act 1957, Tungsten is a major mineral.

EPFO wins International Social Security Association’s (ISSA) ‘Good Practice Award’ for Asia and Pacific. 

About EPFO

• Genesis: Employees' Provident Funds Ordinance, 1951 established EPFO. It was replaced by Employees' Provident Funds Act of 1952.
  • The act is now referred as Employees' Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act of 1952
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment.
• Mission: To extend the Reach & Quality of Publicly Managed Old-Age Income Security Programs. 
• EPFO administers the following 3 schemes 
  • Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) Scheme 1952, 
  • Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS) 1995 and 
  • Employees’ Deposit Linked Insurance (EDLI) Scheme 1976.

In Rare Appearance, Markhor Spotted In Kashmir. 

About Markhor

• It is World’s largest wild goat.
• Habitat: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan.
  • In India it is found only in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
• Status: 
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species: Appendix I
• Conservation Efforts : 
  • Global: UNGA proclaimed 24 May the International Day of the Markhor, starting in 2024.
  • India: Kashmir Markhor Recovery Project (Wildlife Trust of India), J&K notified Tattakuti wildlife sanctuary for the markhor. 

The Angami Naga tribe participated in ‘Stone Pulling Ceremony’ as part of Nagaland’s Hornbill Festival.

Angami Naga Tribe

• Habitat:  They primarily reside in Kohima and Dimapur districts of Nagaland.
  • Their Villages are organized into Khels (Thinuo) based on clan divisions.
• Language: Tenyidie, written in Roman script (Tibeto-Burman origin).
• Festival: Sekrenyi, a prominent harvest celebration integral to Angami culture.
• Traditional attire:Lorumhoushu, Lohe, Ratapfe, and Kilt. 
• Religion: Predominantly Christian.
• Historical Event: Angami Rebellion (1879) against British imperialism is a notable chapter in their history.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) hosted the ‘Global Conference on Energy & AI’.

About IEA

• HQ: Paris, France.
• Established: In 1974 in response to the 1973 oil crisis.
• Objective: To promote energy security among member countries and Focus on sustainable energy policies, renewable energy, and energy efficiency.
• Members: Comprises 32 member countries, 13 association countries (India is associate member since 2017) & 4 accession countries.
• Requirement to Join: 
  • Membership in the OECD is a prerequisite.
  • Commitment to shared energy goals, including maintaining emergency oil reserves equivalent to 90 days of net imports.
• Important Reports: World Energy Outlook, Global EV Outlook etc.

India and ADB signed a $50 million loan to enhance water security in Meghalaya.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

• Established:  In 1966 to promote economic development in Asia and Pacific.
• HQ: Mandaluyong, Philippines.
• Objective: Envisions a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty in the region.
• Membership: 69 members; 49 from Asia-Pacific (including India) & 19 from other regions.
• Functions:
  • Provides loans, grants, and technical assistance to member countries.
  • Focuses on sectors like infrastructure, education, health, and climate resilience.