International Labour Organization (ILO) has recently released its World Employment and Social Outlook: Trends 2025 report.

Key findings

• Global unemployment remains at 5% in 2024, with economic growth slowing and challenges persisting.
  • The slowing global economy is making it more difficult for labour markets to fully recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Key Challenges for Labour Market: Geopolitical tensions, the rising costs of climate change and unresolved debt issues

About ILO

• It is the only tripartite UN agency,since 1919,it  brings together governments, employers, and workers from 187 member states to set labor standards, create policies, and promote decent work for all.
• HQ: Geneva, Switzerland.

Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) has finalized a Joint Venture Agreement for the development of the Upper Karnali Hydro-electric Project in Nepal.

• Karnali Riveroriginates from Macha-khabab of Tibet and flows through Nepal and meets the Ghaghara River in India. 

About Karnali Hydropower Project

• It is a Run-of-River (PRoR) type project that will export power from Nepal to India and Bangladesh.
  • A run of the river project is a type of hydropower plant that uses the natural flow of a river to generate electricity.
  • There is no need of large dam and reservoir in it. 

Recently, tribute has been paid to the martyrs of the Kuka Movement.

About Kuka Movement

• The Kuka Movement was the first major reaction in Punjab against the British political order established after 1849. 
• It was a crucial phase of the Namdhari Movement, founded by Satguru Ram Singh in 1857, at Bhaini Sahib.
  • The Namdharis, also known as "Kukas" due to their high-pitched recitation of Gurbani called "Kook" in Punjabi, were urged by Ram Singh to boycott all British goods and services. 
  • He organized the Kukas and provided military training to young men.
• The movement raised awareness of subjugation, promoted civil disobedience, and encouraged wearing hand-spun white attire as a symbol of resistance.

Indian Scientists have developed a Neuromorphic device.

About Neuromorphic Device

• Neuromorphic devices give ideas about how the human body senses and responds to pain.
• It is inspired by the habituation process of human body. 
  • In our bodies, special sensors called nociceptors detect pain and help us respond to harmful situations. 
  • Over time, with repeated exposure, one can actually feel pain less intensely through a process called habituation.
• Benefit: Make wearable tech smarter, and improve human-machine interactions.

Recently, a UNEP study found the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline explosions caused the largest human-induced methane release on record.

About Nord Stream Pipeline

• Nord Stream is a major natural gas pipeline running under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
• The Nord Stream twin pipeline system through the Baltic Sea runs from Vyborg, Russia to Lubmin near Greifswald, Germany. 
• Significance:
  • Ensures energy security for Europe, especially Germany.
  • Provides a direct, reliable gas supply from Russia, bypassing transit countries.

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) found ancient Buddhist artefacts in excavations at Odisha’s Ratnagiri.

• ASI found artefacts like Buddha head and inscribed Buddhist relics etc. 

About Ratnagiri 

• This site has been linked to Buddhism since Emperor Ashoka's invasion of Kalinga (ancient Odisha). 
• Ratnagiri is considered to have rivaled Nalanda as a center for Buddhist learning, particularly in Mahayana & Tantrayana (Vajrayana) Buddhism. 
  • Together with other Buddhist sites – Lalitagiri and Udayagiri, Ratnagiri completes the set of Diamond Triangle of Buddhist centers in Odisha. 

Recently, President of India presented National Sports Award 2024.

6 Categories of National Sports Awards 

• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (1991-92): Awarded for outstanding performances in sports spanning over a period of 4 years. 
• Arjuna Award (1961): Awarded for consistent good performance over a period of 4 years.
• Dronacharya Award (1985): It is highest sports honour for coaches.
• Major Dhyan Chand Award (2002): India’s highest honour for lifetime achievements in sports.
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar (2009): Awarded to organisations /corporates (private & public) & individuals for playing a role in area of sports promotion & development over last 3 years.
• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy (1956-57): Given to an institution/university for top performance in inter-university tournaments over last 1 year.

Tripura conducting language mapping for development of ‘Kokborok’ language’. 

About Kokborok Language

• The word "Kokborok" comes from "Kok," meaning "verbal," and "Borok," meaning "people" or "human."
• It is the mother tongue of communities namely Debbarma (Tripuri) Reang, Jamatia, Noatia, Kalai, Rupini, Murasing, Uchoi etc.
• It is recognised as one of the State language of, Tripura.
• It is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family.