Scientists have detected carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on Charon (Pluto's moon) using NASA's James Webb Telescope.

Significance of Findings

• Understanding the origin of Charon and other moons of Plato.
• Could help in understanding origins and evolution of icy bodies in the outer Solar System.

About Charon

• It is largest among five moons of Plato.
• It is so big that Pluto and Charon orbit each other like a double planet.
• Pluto is a dwarf planet located in a distant region of our solar system beyond Neptune known as the Kuiper Belt.

World Health Organization (WHO) launched SPRP.

About SPRP

• Aim: To tackle dengue and other Aedes-borne arboviruses (Zika and chikungunya) by fostering a global coordinated response. 
• Tenure: Over one year until September 2025.
• 5 key components:
  • Emergency coordination
  • Collaborative surveillance
  • Community protection
  • Safe and scalable care
  • Access to countermeasures
• Aligns with other Global initiatives: SPRP is aligned with the Global Vector Control Response 2017–2030  and Global Arbovirus Initiative.

Switzerland joins European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI)

About ESSI

• Genesis: Founded in 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine
• It is a German led European Iron Dome-style defence system.
• Aim: Bolstering Europe’s defence against air strikes as it will strengthen NATO’s integrated air and missile defence.
• Members: 21 member states, including the UK
• At the heart of this initiative is the Arrow 3, an Israeli-American missile defence system that can intercept long-range ballistic missiles.

Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) modified Revamped Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (RPTUAS). 

• It has increased incentive for pharmaceutical companies to Rs 2 crore (from Rs 1 crore). 
• Added "production equipment," a new category to the list of eligible expenses for subsidy calculation.

About RPTUAS

• Objective: To support the pharmaceutical industry's upgradation to Revised Schedule-M & WHO’s good manufacturing practices standards.
• Introduced more flexible financing options, emphasizing subsidies on a reimbursement basis.

Recently, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization under Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has become an affiliate member of the International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF).

About IMDRF

• Established in 2011, it is a collaborative group of global medical device regulators dedicated to accelerating the harmonization and convergence of international medical device regulations. 
• Members include national regulatory authorities from different countries and the World Health Organization (WHO).

India is the third country in the South-East Asia Region after Nepal and Myanmar that eliminated this Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD). 

• Previously WHO declared India free from two other NTDs (Guinea Worm disease (2000) and Yaws (2016)).

About Trachoma

• It is eye infecting disease caused by infection with bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.

• It is contagious (spreading through contact with eyes, nose etc.) disease and If left untreated can cause irreversible blindness.

• Status in India: In 1971, blindness due to Trachoma was 5% and now it has come down to less than 1%.
• Interventions for Trachoma: National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), Adoption of WHO SAFE strategy etc.