ISRO will launch European Space Agency’s (ESA) Proba-3 mission, marking a significant step in international space collaboration. 

• It is ESA’s first launch from India since Proba-1 mission in 2001.

About Proba-3 Mission

• Aim: To observe the Sun’s corona through an innovative satellite formation flight.
  • Corona is the outermost part of the Sun's atmosphere. 
• Mission will deploy two satellites, launched aboard ISRO’s PSLV-XL, into a high elliptical orbit that will reach 60,000 km from Earth. 
  • Twin satellites will maintain an autonomous formation to allow uninterrupted observation. 

The government invited comments on the draft Commercial Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024.

• It aims to provide quicker and specialized adjudication of commercial disputes. 

Commercial Courts

• It deals with commercial disputes arising out of ordinary transactions of merchants, bankers, export or import of merchandise or services, intellectual property rights etc.
• Commercial Courts Act, 2015 provided for constitution of Commercial Courts, Commercial Appellate Court, Commercial Appellate Division in High Courts etc.
• Constitution: It is done by the State Government, after consultation with the concerned High Court. 
• Constitution of Commercial Division of High Courts is done by Chief Justice of High Court.

The market for Allulose, a natural sugar alternative, is gaining ground in South Korea as a healthier option.

About Allulose

• Also known as D-allulose & d-psicose, Allulose is a naturally occurring sugar found at low levels in figs, kiwis & other fruits.
  • It is also commercially produced from beet sugar or corn using specific enzymes.
• Benefits
  • Allulose is low in calories and has a similar taste & texture to table sugar. 
  • Helps in lowering of blood sugar, encourages weight loss, & reduce health risks associated with added sugar. 

Government announced to develop 100 climate-resilient coastal fishermen villages under PMMSY. 

• Initiative aims to improve resilience against climate change by providing facilities like fish drying yards, emergency rescue facilities, etc. 

About PMMSY

• Objectives: Double fishers and fish farmers’ incomes, Enhance fish production, Modernize and strengthen the value chain etc.
• Targets of PMMSY: Increasing fish production to 22 million metric tons by 2024-25, etc. 
• Implementing Agency: Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Time Period: 2020-21 to 2024-25

As per recent study Tiger population triples in Assam’s Manas National Park. 

About Manas National Park

• Location:  Contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan
• Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage Site (1988), Biosphere Reserve
• Rivers: Major rivers include the Manas and Beki, which flow through the sanctuary and meet the Brahmaputra downstream.
• Vegetation: semi-evergreen forests, mixed moist and dry deciduous forests and alluvial grasslands.
• Key Fauna: Tiger, Pygmy hog, Indian rhinoceros, swamp deer, Bengal florican,  and Indian elephant.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Research Centre on Equines (ICAR-NRC Equine) in Haryana has been granted WOAH Reference Laboratory status.

• This recognition is specifically for its expertise in Equine Piroplasmosis disease.
  • Equine Piroplasmosis iscaused by tick-borne protozoan parasites, affects horses, donkeys, mules, and zebras.

About World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)

• An intergovernmental organization founded in 1924. 
• Objective: Disseminating information on animal diseases and improving animal health globally.
• Members: 183 including India.
• HQ: Paris, France

Staff Shortages and operational challenges in NCLT were highlighted in a recent ruling of Supreme Court.

About NCLT

• It is a quasi-judicial authority established under section 408 of the Companies Act, 2013.
• Jurisdiction: 
  • Deals with corporate disputes of civil nature arising under Companies Act.
  • It also handles company law matters, including arbitration, restructuring, winding up, and insolvency processes for companies and LLPs under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
• Appeal: Decisions of NCLT can be appealed to National Company Law Appellate Tribunal. NCLAT decisions can further be appealed to Supreme Court on a point of law.

The Supreme Court restored Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers authority to issue notices and recover dues under the Customs Act, 1962.

 Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

• DRI is the apex anti-smuggling agency of India. 
• Working: under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance
• Responsibilities
  • Detecting and preventing smuggling of contraband, including illegal drug trafficking,
  • Preventing and detecting illicit international trade in wildlife and environmentally sensitive items,
  • Combating commercial frauds related to international trade and evasion of Customs duty.