Rapid Fire Current Affairs

• 26 Oct 2023

Indian Army Gets Vertical Wind Tunnel

Indian Army's Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Himachal Pradesh has acquired the Army's first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT), enhancing the training infrastructure for special forces and combat free-fallers.

• The VWT is designed to improve the Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills of armed forces personnel, creating a controlled environment to simulate real-life freefall conditions.The VWT functions by generating specific air velocities, replicating different CFF conditions.
• It assists both beginners and seasoned free-fallers and CFF instructors by simulating a wide range of freefall scenarios, thereby aiding in assessing individual reactions in an airborne operating environment.

Read More: Defense Research and Development Organisation, Indian Navy

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Soaring Tensions Between Kosovo And Serbia

The European Union (EU) and the US along with diplomats from Germany, France, and Italy are calling on Kosovo and Serbia to restart their dialogue in an effort to reduce the escalating tensions between the two nations.

• Kosovo and Serbia both aspire to join the EU, but they have been told to resolve their differences first. Western powers are pushing for the implementation of a 10-point plan proposed by the EU to resolve political crises.
  • A key point of contention is the establishment of the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities (ASM) in Kosovo, which has faced legal challenges.
• Conflict between two countries dates back to 2008 when Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. Kosovo's independence has been recognized by a significant number of countries but Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's sovereignty which led to border disputes.

Read More: Kosovo-Serbia Conflict, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

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RISUG: Reversible Male Contraceptive

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has concluded a seven-year study on the male contraceptive Reversible Inhibition of Sperm Under Guidance (RISUG), finding it to be safe and effective.

• RISUG is a non-hormonal injectable contraceptive that provides long-lasting sterility with complete reversibility.
• RISUG works by injecting a polymer gel made of styrene maleic anhydride (SMA). It can be reversed by injecting a solvent called dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) into the vas deferens, which dissolves the polymer gel and flushes it out of the body.

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Indian Economy to Surpass Japan by 2030: S&P Global

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Indian economy is set to surpass Japan and Germany by 2030, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) increasing from USD 3.5 trillion in 2022 to USD 7.3 trillion by 2030.

• At present, India is ranked 5^th in terms of the size of its economy at USD 3.7 trillion in 2023-24.
• This rapid growth is expected to make India the Second-Largest economy in the Asia-Pacific region, surpassing Japan.
• India is poised to grow in such a manner due to its favorable long-term growth prospects, driven by its youthful demographic profile and rising urban household incomes.
• The middle class, coupled with the rapidly growing domestic consumer market and industrial sector, makes India an appealing investment destination for multinational companies.

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Antarctica's Ancient Landscape Revealed

Recently, scientists have unearthed a remarkable find beneath the icy expanse of Antarctica, shedding light on a time when the continent was far from its current icy desolation.

• In East Antarctica's Wilkes Land region, a vast ancient landscape has been discovered, featuring valleys and ridges sculpted by ancient rivers.
• It hints at a bygone era when Antarctica's climate was considerably warmer, possibly supporting a diverse array of wildlife.
  • Antarctica was once part of the Gondwana supercontinent before splitting off due to plate tectonics.
    • The landscape and flora of Antarctica likely resembled today's cold temperate rainforests before it entered a deep freeze.

Read more: Rapidly Melting Antarctic Ice