NASA's James Webb Space Telescope observed a constant flickering of light from the Accretion Disk. 

• Webb was launched in 2021 to observe the region around the black hole - called Sagittarius A*. 

About Accretion Disk

• Definition: A swirling disk of gas around a black hole, acting as its primary light source.
• Formation & Structure: Forms as black holes consume matter (accretion) from nearby stars or interstellar gas, creating a hot, bright, and rapidly spinning disk where gas moves inward toward the event horizon.

Lake Kivu displayed devastation and misery after an armed group captured the lakeside city Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

About Lake Kivu

• Location:  Situated on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• Volcanic Origin: Lies in the Albertine Rift, a seismically active region.
• Empties Into: Ruzizi River, which flows into Lake Tanganyika. 
• Contains large methane and carbon dioxide deposits, acting as a potential hazard for limnic eruption.
  • A limnic eruption is a rare natural disaster occurs when a lake releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas.

Recently, may countries, tech companies, and international organizations have partnered to establish Coalition for Environmentally Sustainable AI.

About the Coalition

• Overview: A global initiative with 100+ partners, including 37 tech companies, 11 countries, and 5 international organizations, to promote AI’s environmental sustainability.
• Leadership: Led by France, UNEP, and ITU.
• Announcement: Launched at the AI Action Summit in Paris.
• Objectives:
  • Use AI for decarbonization, pollution reduction, biodiversity preservation, and ocean protection.
  • Establish standardized metrics, life cycle analysis frameworks, and sustainable AI research.
  • Foster collaboration among governments, academia, civil society, and private sector.

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) launched the TAF.

• IN-SPACe is a single-window, independent, nodal and autonomous agency under Department of Space (DOS) to facilitate private sector participation in space. 

About TAF

• About:Funding scheme to promote innovation and drive the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies in the space sector. 
• Total funding: ₹500Cr.
• Eligibility:  Non-Government Entity (NGE) in India. 
• Funding scheme: Financial support of up to 60% of the project cost for startups and MSMEs, and 40% for larger industries, with a maximum funding cap of Rs 25 crore per project.

WHO announced 2025 update to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11)

About ICD-11

• It is a standardized global system by WHO for classifying diseases and health conditions, now expanded to include traditional medicine.
• Origin: First introduced in 1893; currently in its 11th revision (ICD-11).
• Significance: Essential for global health monitoring, policymaking, and achieving health-related SDGs.
• ICD-11 Update 2025: Enhances interoperability, accuracy, and multilingual support, integrates with Orphanet & MedDRA, and introduces a Traditional Medicine Module for Ayurveda, Siddha & Unani

India is elected to the Vice Presidency of IALA in Singapore, strengthening its commitment to maritime safety, navigation, and international cooperation.

About IALA (Hq: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France)

• Establishment: 1957 as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
• Transition to IGO: In 2024, IALA transitioned from a NGO to an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO). 
• Aim: Urges members to cooperate to standardize Marine Aids to Navigation globally, ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly vessel movement.
• Member Categories: Three types of IALA Members- National Member, Associate Member and Industrial Member.

Recently, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) celebrated its 22nd Foundation Day.

About National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

• Genesis: It is a Constitutional body established under Article 338A introduced through Constitution (89th Amendment) Act, 2003.
  • 89^th Constitutional amendment replaced erstwhile National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes by two separate Commissions, namely NCSC and NCST. 
• Members: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson and three members appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. 
• Mandate: To investigate, monitor, and inquire matters relating to Safeguards provided for STs under the Constitution and protect their interests. 

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) invoked its special powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to  grant divorce. 

About Article 142

• It empowers the SC to pass any decree or order necessary for doing complete justice in any case or matter pending before it enforceable throughout the territory of India. 
• It also grants power to SC to make any order for the purpose of securing the attendance of any person, discovery or production of any documents, investigation or punishment of its contempt.