ISRO’s 63^rd PSLV mission (PSLV-C61/EOS-09) failed due to a technical malfunction during the third stage of the PSLV rocket. 

• Since its first flight, Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) has failed only twice - inaugural flight in 1993 and again in 2017.

About PSLV-C61/EOS-09 Mission

• PSLV-C61 was meant to carry the EOS-09 (Earth Observation Satellite-09) into a Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit (SSPO). 
  • It was launched from the First Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. 
• EOS-09 is an advanced Earth observation satellite, equipped with C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology.
• Objective: To provide continuous and reliable remote sensing data for operational applications across various sectors.
  • This satellite can capture high-resolution images of the Earth’s surface in any weather, day or night.

About PSLV 

• It is India’s third-generation launch vehicle, developed by ISRO.
• It is a four-stage vehicle and first Indian launch vehicle to be equipped with liquid stages.
• Achieved first successful launch in October 1994 and earned the title “the workhorse of ISRO” for its consistent performance.
• Capable of launching satellites into LEO, Geosynchronous, and Geostationary orbits, like satellites from the IRNSS Constellation.
  • Successfully launched major missions like Chandrayaan-1 (2008) and Mars Orbiter Spacecraft (2013).

• It is the second international legal agreement negotiated under Article 19 of the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution, (first being the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, 2003).
  • As per Article 19, WHA (with two-thirds vote) has the authority to adopt conventions/agreements on any matter within its competence. 

Key Highlights of the Agreement

• Strengthen Pandemic prevention and surveillance: As per International Health Regulations (IHR), 2005.
  • IHR aims to prevent, control and provide a public health response to the international spread of disease. 
• Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network: Provide access to pandemic-related health products during public health emergencies of international concern. 
• Sustainable Financing: Coordinating Financial Mechanism under the IHR to be used for its implementation. 
• Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing system (PABS): A process to draft and negotiate PABS through an Intergovernmental Working Group (IGWG) was launched. 
  • The result of this process is to be considered at WHA next year.
  • PABS deals with the rapid and timely sharing of materials and sequence information on pathogens with pandemic potential. 
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers participating in PABS to provide WHO with rapid access to 20% of real time production of their vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
• Enforcement: Once the PABS is adopted, the agreement would be open for signature and ratification by states. 
  • It would be enforced after 60 ratifications. 

Released by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the report provides the first comprehensive global overview of animal health in a changing world. 

• Headquartered in Paris, WOAH was founded in 1924 as the Office International des Epizooties (renamed as WOAH in 2003).
• It focuses on transparently disseminating information on animal diseases, improving animal health globally and thus builds a safer, healthier and more sustainable world.

Key Findings 

• Shifting Disease Patterns: Infectious animal diseases are expanding into new geographical areas, with nearly 47% having zoonotic potential (i.e., transmittable from animals to humans).
  • E.g., Peste des Petits Ruminants (affects sheep & goats), traditionally confined to developing nations, has now re-emerged in Europe. 
• Rising Diseases Intensity: Diseases like African swine fever, avian influenza, and foot-and-mouth disease are increasing in frequency & intensity, disrupting agrifood systems and threatening food security, public health, and biodiversity.
• Drivers of Disease Spread: Climate change & expanding global trade are identified as major drivers.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): By 2050, AMR is projected to cause livestock losses that jeopardise the food security of 2 billion people & result in a US$ 100 trillion economic loss. 
• Recommendations: 
  • Ensure equitable access to safe, effective vaccines, alongside other control measures like improved hygiene & biosecurity measures.
  • Investments to strengthen national Veterinary Services, greater global & regional coordination, improved disease surveillance systems etc.

India was awarded the Certificate of Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

• India was declared the 3^rd (after Nepal and Myanmar) Southeast Asian region country to have eliminated Trachoma in 2024. 

About Trachoma

• Cause: It is an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
  • It is categorized as a Neglected Tropical Disease by the WHO. 
• Impact: Irreversible blindness. 
  • Repeated episodes may cause the eyelashes to be drawn in, rubbing the eye surface causing permanent corneal damage. 
• Spread: Personal contact or through flies. 
• Indian Initiative: Trachoma control program integrated under the National Program for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI) in 1976. 

Scientists studied the structure of liquid carbon for the first time using in situ X-ray diffraction.

About Liquid carbon

• So far, only very little was known about carbon in its liquid form because in this state it was practically impossible to study in the lab. 
  • Under normal pressure, carbon does not melt but immediately changes into a gaseous state.
  • It only becomes liquid at around 4,500°C and under very high-pressure conditions in which no container can survive.
• It can be found, for example, in the interior of planets.
• It can play an essential role in future technologies like nuclear fusion.