CURRENT-AFFAIRS

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• At least 51 people have died and 271 others have been injured following a Russian missile attack on the city of Poltava in central Ukraine.
• About Poltava:
  • Poltava is a city situated in east-central Ukraine. It is located 300 kilometers (189 miles) east of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and is positioned along the Vorskla River.
• History:
  • Archaeological findings suggest that Poltava's history dates back to the 8th or 9th century, with its first documented mention occurring in 1174, when it was known by various names including Oltava or Ltava.
  • The city was devastated by the Tatars in the early 13th century, but by the 17th century, it had become the hub of a Cossack regiment.
• Battle of Poltava:
  • In 1709, Peter the Great of Russia delivered a decisive blow to Charles XII of Sweden near Poltava after Charles had besieged the city for three months during the Great Northern War. This battle marked the end of Sweden's dominance as a major power and signaled the rise of Russian influence in Eastern Europe.
• The contemporary city of Poltava is largely a post-World War II reconstruction, having been heavily damaged during the conflict. Today, it serves as the center of a fertile agricultural area and is home to industries focused on processing agricultural products.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The Sugamya Bharat App is an initiative by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is designed to assist people with disabilities and the elderly by enabling users to report accessibility issues in public infrastructure, transportation, and buildings.
• Objectives:
  • Issue Identification: Users can report accessibility-related issues at public places, capturing the location using Google Maps.
  • Geotagged Photos: The app allows users to upload geotagged images to help identify and understand accessibility problems in various types of public spaces.
  • Complaint Registration: Individuals facing accessibility challenges in India can use the app to submit their concerns. Only issues related to buildings, transportation systems, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) such as websites and TV viewing can be reported.
  • Forwarding Complaints: Complaints submitted through the app are forwarded to the relevant authorities for resolution.
• Upcoming Enhancements:
  • The government is planning to enhance the app by integrating AI technology.
  • AI Features: The upgraded version will feature an AI-powered chatbot and a multilingual interface to improve functionality and user experience.
  • Collaborations: The development of the AI-enabled app involves a partnership with the NGO Mission Accessibility and the research institute I-STEM.
  • These upgrades aim to make the app more effective and accessible, providing better support for users with disabilities and the elderly.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Iran has supplied Russia with short-range ballistic missiles, including the Fath-360.
• About the Fath-360 Missile:
  • The Fath-360, also known as Fateh-360, is an Iranian short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) distinguished by its precision and mobility. It is intended for tactical strikes against a range of targets such as military sites and critical infrastructure.
  • Features:
  • Launch Weight: 787 kilograms
  • Speed: Travels at velocities between Mach 3 and Mach 4
  • Engine: Equipped with a solid-fuel engine, enabling rapid deployment and quick launch capabilities, which enhances its effectiveness in combat scenarios
  • Range: Approximately 120 to 300 kilometers
  • Warhead: Carries a 150-kilogram warhead
  • Design: Features a compact and maneuverable design, making it challenging for air defense systems to intercept
  • Guidance System: Utilizes a combination of inertial guidance and satellite navigation to achieve an accuracy of 30 meters
  • Launcher: The missile is deployed using a truck-mounted Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) capable of carrying and launching multiple missiles
• The Fath-360 is a versatile and advanced weapon, enhancing Russia's tactical capabilities with its high speed, accuracy, and rapid deployment features.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Researchers have recently discovered a new relative of turmeric, known as Curcuma ungmensis, following an unexpected find during a field expedition in Nagaland.
• Curcuma ungmensis:
  • Classification: This new species belongs to the genus Curcuma within the ginger family, Zingiberaceae.
  • Naming: The plant has been named Curcuma ungmensis after Ungma, the village in Mokokchung district where it was discovered.
  • Botanical Characteristics: Curcuma ungmensis is a rhizomatous herb, meaning it has a branched rhizome (an underground stem) that grows deeply buried in the soil. It could potentially be introduced into gardens as an ornamental ground cover following appropriate cultivation.
  • Flowering: The plant flowers during the rainy season from August to October. The blooms emerge in the morning and last for just one day.
• Threats:
  • The species is under "severe threat" from several factors, including road construction, building development, and natural disasters.
• Genus Overview:
  • Zingiberaceae Family: The Zingiberaceae family comprises 21 genera and around 200 species in India.
  • Curcuma Genus: Curcuma is one of the largest and most significant genera in this family. Notable species include turmeric (Curcuma longa), black turmeric (Curcuma caesia), and mango ginger (Curcuma amada).
• Distribution: Curcuma is found widely across South and Southeast Asia and southern China, with some species also in northern Australia and the South Pacific. In India, about 40 species of Curcuma are present, predominantly in the northeastern and southern states, as well as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

• Recently, the BepiColombo spacecraft provided scientists with their first detailed view of Mercury’s south pole.
• About the BepiColombo Spacecraft:
  • Mission Overview: BepiColombo is a collaborative mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), dedicated to exploring Mercury.
  • Naming: The spacecraft is named after Giuseppe "Bepi" Colombo, an Italian mathematician and engineer renowned for his work on Mercury's orbit.
  • Launch: It was launched on October 20, 2018. The mission is notable for its ambitious and intricate objectives, focusing on studying Mercury’s surface, composition, magnetic field, and its interactions with the solar environment.
  • Components: The BepiColombo spacecraft comprises two main modules:
  • Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO): Supplied by ESA, the MPO is tasked with mapping Mercury’s surface, analyzing its composition, and studying its topography.
  • Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO): Provided by JAXA, the MMO is dedicated to investigating Mercury’s magnetic field and magnetosphere.
• Objectives:
  • Surface and Composition Analysis: To explore Mercury’s surface and composition in order to gain a deeper understanding of its geological history and formation processes.
  • Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere: To examine Mercury’s magnetic field and magnetosphere, providing insights into its internal structure and its interactions with the solar wind.
  • Exosphere Study: To measure and analyze Mercury’s exosphere (a very thin atmosphere) and understand its composition and dynamics.

Relativity Experiments: To conduct experiments aimed at testing principles of general relativity and enhancing our knowledge of gravity.