20 May2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper 1 – Places in News

Odesa and Dnipro

📰 Why in News

• Russia recently launched attacks on the Ukrainian cities of Odesa and Dnipro, while

Ukraine carried out strikes in Russia’s Belgorod region near the Russia–Ukraine border.

⚓ About Odesa

📍 Location

• Odesa is an important port city situated along the Black Sea coast in southern Ukraine.

🚢 Economic and Strategic Importance

• The city serves as a major centre for:

• Grain exports

• International trade

• Naval connectivity

🌊 Maritime Significance

• Odesa plays a key role in Black Sea shipping routes and regional maritime trade networks.

🏭 About Dnipro

📍 Location

• Dnipro is located on the banks of the Dnieper River in east-central Ukraine.

Red-necked Falcon (Falco chicquera)

📰 Why in News

• A rare sighting of the Red-necked Falcon was recently reported from Kawal

Tiger Reserve.

🦅 About the Species

📖 Classification

• The Red-necked Falcon is a bird of prey belonging to the falcon family.

🎨 Physical Characteristics

🪶 Appearance

• It is a medium-sized raptor identified by its reddish-brown crown and neck.

• The bird has bluish-grey upperparts, sharp talons, and remarkable agility during

flight.

🌳 Habitat

📍 Common Habitats

• Open woodlands

• Dry deciduous forests

• Scrublands

• Agricultural landscapes

🎯 Hunting Behaviour

🦉 Predatory Nature

• The Red-necked Falcon is known for its efficient hunting skills.

• It often hunts in pairs, especially during dawn and dusk hours.

GS 3 Environment & Biodiversity

Red Sand Boa (Eryx johnii)

📰 Why in News

• The Hyderabad zonal unit of the Directorate

of Revenue Intelligence recently rescued live

Red Sand Boa snakes from illegal wildlife

trade activities in Warangal.

🐍 About the Species

📖 Identification

• The Red Sand Boa, commonly known as the Indian Sand Boa, is a non- venomous snake species found mainly in the dry regions of the Indian subcontinent.

🌍 Geographic Distribution

📍 Native Range

The species is native to:

• India

• Pakistan

• Iran

🌱 Preferred Habitat

🏜 Habitat Features

• These snakes prefer dry, sandy, and loose-soil habitats suitable for burrowing.