The Finance Minister recently chaired the 29th meeting of the FSDC.

About FSDC

• Genesis: It is an apex-level non-statutory body constituted by the Government of India in December 2010.
• Objective: Strengthening and institutionalizing the mechanism for maintaining financial stability and promoting financial sector development.
• Composition: Chaired by the Union Finance Minister and includes the RBI Governor, Finance Secretary, Secretary of Financial Services, Chief Economic Adviser, and the Chairpersons of SEBI, IRDAI, and PFRDA.
• Sub-committee of FSDC: A sub-committee of FSDC has also been set up under the chairmanship of Governor RBI. 

Israel Launches First Naval Strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port.

About Hodeidah Port.

• Location:  Western Yemen on the coast of Red Sea.
• Significance: About 70% of imports and 80% of humanitarian aid enter Yemen through the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa, making these ports vital for both trade and aid.

Sri Lanka is celebrating the sacred Poson Poya festival today, marking the historic arrival of Buddhism over 2,000 years ago.

About Poson Poya

• Occasion: Celebrated on the full moon day of June in Sri Lanka.
  Significance: 
  • Marks the first sermon delivered by Arahat Mahinda, son of Emperor Ashoka, to King Devanampiyatissa at Mihintale
  • A key value highlighted during Poson Poya is non-violence. In a world still troubled by conflict, it reminds  that 'Ahimsa'—non-violence—is a timeless principle that protects life and freedom for all.
  • For Buddhists, this hallowed day of Poson is second only to Vesak in terms of importance.

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino(KATRIN) Experiment closely observed the disintegration of molecular tritium to estimate the neutrino mass.

About KATRIN Experiment

• Located in Germany.
• Aimed at determining the absolute mass of neutrinos, among the most elusive particles in the universe.
  • Neutrinos are:
    • The lightest known particles.
    • Electrically neutral, weakly interacting, and extremely hard to detect.

CAQM, CSIR-CRRI, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) sign MoU to reduce dust pollution via urban road redevelopment in the National Capital Region (NCR).

About Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) 

• Genesis: Statutory body set up under Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Act 2021.
• Nodel Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
• Headquarters: Delhi.
• Role & Powers:  To take all such measures, issue directions, etc, for the purpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas.
  • Adjoining areas means the areas in the States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Drift and oil spill advisory issued by INCOIS after fire on container ship off Kerala coast.

• Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) also activated its Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) to track possible drift patterns of containers, debris.

About SARAT

• Developed by Earth System Science Organization (ESSO)-INCOIS (under the Ministry of Earth Sciences).
  • Initiated and developed under the Make in India program.
• Objective: Facilitating the search and rescue operations in the seas to locate individuals/vessels in distress in the shortest possible time.
  • Supports operations of the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Coastal Security Police
• Functions: Uses high resolution Regional Ocean Modelling System, run operationally on High Performance Computers at INCOIS.

Researchers at the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB) found that reducing the activity of a cellular protein called ‘Cathepsin B’ (Cat B) helps preserve the ovarian reserve.

About Cathepsin B 

• Nature: Cathepsin B is a lysosomal cysteine protease.
• Function: Involved in protein turnover, antigen processing, and apoptosis (Programmed cell death for tissue regulation).
• Location: Primarily in lysosomes.
  • Lysosomes are membrane-enclosed organelles that contain an array of enzymes capable of breaking down all types of biological polymers—proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids.
• Substrates: Degrades extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen, fibronectin).
• Role in Disease: Linked to cancer metastasis, inflammation, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Russian Attack Damages Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv.

About Saint Sophia Cathedral

• Location: In Kyiv, Ukraine, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Built in the 11th century, it is regarded as a symbol of Ukraine’s statehood and spiritual heritage.
• Listed in 1990 for its architectural and cultural significance, described by UNESCO as part of the "new Constantinople" vision.
• Architectural Style: Its architectural style is a blend of Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox.
• Holds universal value for its role in shaping Eastern Christian architecture and pilgrimage traditions.