DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: July 26, 2023

Phangnon Konyak became the first woman to chair the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland

Tags: Person in news

Phangnon Konyak, the first woman member from Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, presided over the House.

An Overview of the News

• On 17 July 2023, Phangnon Konyak became the first woman member to be appointed to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.

• Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar nominated four women members (50% of the total) to the panel of Vice-Chairpersons to promote gender equality.

• All the nominated women members are first time MPs.

• The reconstituted panel now comprises a total of eight members, half of whom are women, a first in the history of the Upper House.

The nominated women members are as follows:

• PT Usha: Renowned athlete and Padma Shri awardee, nominated to Rajya Sabha in July 2022.

• S. Phangnon Konyak: First woman elected as Rajya Sabha member from Nagaland (April 2022) and serves on various committees.

• Dr. Fauzia Khan: Nominated to Rajya Sabha in April 2020, Member of various committees.

• Sulta Dev: Elected to Rajya Sabha in July 2022, served on various committees.

CERT-In issues alert on 'Akira' ransomware

Tags: Science and Technology

CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team), issued a warning about a new Internet ransomware named 'Akira'.

An Overview of the News

• Ransomware is designed to steal sensitive personal information and encrypt the data, forcing victims to pay a ransom.

• The 'Akira' ransomware targets both Windows and Linux-based systems, gaining unauthorised access to victims' environments, especially those VPN services that lack multi-factor authentication. Once inside, attackers steal sensitive data from victims.

• After stealing data, ransomware launches a two-pronged attack. First, it encrypts the victim's files, effectively blocking their access to their own data and systems. To pressure the victim into paying the ransom, attackers use a dual extortion tactic.

• If the victim refuses to meet the ransom demand, the attackers resort to public shaming. They publish the stolen data on their dark web blogs, thereby exposing the victim's personal information.

Steps to protect against 'Akira' ransomware:

• Maintain up-to-date offline backups of important data to minimise potential data loss in the event of an infection.

• Regularly update the operating system and applications to strengthen protection against vulnerabilities and potential cyber threats. Consider using "virtual patching" to protect legacy systems and networks, making it harder for cybercriminals to exploit legacy software.

• Enforce strong password policies and implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to enhance the security of user accounts.

• Avoid installing updates or patches from unofficial sources to reduce the risk of malware or other security breaches. Stay connected to official and reliable sources for updates.

Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (ICERT)

• It functions as a division within the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Government of India.

• ICERT is primarily tasked with dealing with and combating various cyber security threats including hacking and phishing.

• Director General - Sanjay Behl

Jammu to Spearhead India's first Cannabis Medicine Project

Tags: Government Schemes

CSIR-IIIM Jammu is all set to lead India's first cannabis medicine project, a pioneering initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

An Overview of the News

• ThisCannabis Medicine project, initiated in collaboration with Canadian firm IndusScan, aims to explore the medicinal potential of cannabis to benefit patients with neuropathy, cancer and epilepsy, known for its abuse potential.

• The collaboration between CSIR-IIIM Jammu and IndusScan is historic and of great importance to J&K and the country as a whole. It has the potential to revolutionise drug production in India, enabling the country to produce and export drugs that were earlier sourced from abroad.

• The project will play a vital role in raising awareness about the diverse medicinal applications of cannabis, especially in providing relief to patients suffering from fatal diseases and various other ailments.

• In the context of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), once all the necessary approvals are received, the initiative will be launched to market high-quality drugs suitable for the treatment of neuropathy, diabetic pain and others.

• enable production. This will encourage self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector.

CSIR-IIIM (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine):

• It is located in Jammu, India, and is a part of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

• CSIR-IIIM focuses on research in medicinal chemistry, natural products, herbal medicines, drug discovery and integrative medicine.

• The institute aims to develop innovative solutions to health challenges by combining traditional knowledge with modern scientific techniques.

• CSIR-IIIM collaborates with national and international research organisations, academic institutions and pharmaceutical companies to further its research goals and contribute to India's scientific progress and healthcare sector.

• Chief Scientist, CSIR-IIIM Jammu - Dr. Zabir Ahmed

About Medical Cannabis

• The FDA approved cannabis-derived drugs such as Marinol/Nabilone and Cesamet to effectively manage nausea and vomiting in patients.

• Sativex, another FDA-approved drug, uses cannabis to treat neuropathic pain and spasms, bringing relief to those suffering from these conditions.

• Epidiolex containing cannabidiol has shown promising results in the treatment of epilepsy, offering new possibilities for patients with the condition.

• Besides the United States, other countries are also exploring various medical applications of cannabis, taking advantage of its potential to treat various health conditions.

ISRO to launch PSLV-C56 with Six Co-passenger Satellites

Tags: Science and Technology

On July 30, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is all set to launch the PSLV-C56 rocket from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota.

An Overview of the News

• The PSLV-C56 mission will also carry six co-passenger satellites along with a DS-SAR satellite from Singapore.

• The DS-SAR satellite, weighing 3600 kg, has been developed by DSTA and ST Engineering, representing the Government of Singapore.

• It will be launched into a Near Equatorial Orbit (NEO) at an inclination of 5 degrees and an altitude of 535 km.

• The DS-SAR satellite is equipped with a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), which allows it to provide day and night coverage in all weather with 1-metre resolution at full polarimetry.

• Once operational, the DS-SAR satellite will meet the satellite imagery requirements of various government agencies within Singapore.

• ST Engineering will use the satellite to provide multi-responsive imagery and geospatial services for its commercial customers.

About the six co-passenger satellites

• VELOX-AM: It is a technology demonstration microsatellite.

• Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE):This satellite is designed for experimental purposes.

• Scoob-II: A 3U nanosatellite carrying a technology demonstrator payload.

• NuLIoN by NuSpace: An advanced 3U nanosatellite that aims to provide seamless IoT connectivity in urban and remote locations.

• Galasia-2: A 3U nanosatellite intended for low Earth orbit.

• ORB-12 STRIDER: This satellite is the product of an international collaboration effort.

Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO):

• It is the national space agency of India, established in 1969.

• It is headquartered in Bengaluru (Bangalore), Karnataka.

• It launches its space rocket from Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.

• ISRO's objectives include space exploration, earth observation, communications, navigation and scientific research.

• Notable achievements include the Chandrayaan-1 mission to the Moon, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan), the Astrosat space observatory and the NavIC navigation satellite system.

• ISRO is known for cost effective space missions and technology development.

• Chairman: S Somnath

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu released Ranjit Pratap's book 'As the Wheel Turns'

Tags: Books and Authors

Former Vice President Venkaiah Naidu released a new book "As the Wheel Turns" authored by Ranjit Pratap, Managing Director of Rayala Corporation.

An Overview of the News

• The book marks the Diamond Jubilee of Rayala Corporation, and provides a captivating account of Ranjit Pratap's extraordinary journey in the business world.

• "As the Wheel Turns" aims to inspire readers by sharing Ranjit Pratap's personal experiences, struggles and successes.

• The book coincides with Ranjit Pratap's celebration of 50 years in business, during which he joined the group companies in March 1973 and made a significant impact on the business landscape.

• Each chapter of the book vividly depicts the ups and downs, personal growth and professional achievements that shaped Ranjit Pratap's corporate journey of half a century.

• The title "As the wheel turns" symbolises the cyclical nature of life and business, emphasising the importance of adaptability and flexibility in the face of change.

Other Books for 2023

Russia implements comprehensive ban on sex change and transgender marriages

Tags: International News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed new legislation that significantly affects the LGBTQ+ community in Russia.

The law, passed unanimously by both houses of Parliament, includes a comprehensive ban on sex change.

An Overview of the News

• Medical interventions aimed at changing a person's sex and changing sex on official documents or public records are strictly prohibited.

• The new law allows medical intervention only to treat congenital anomalies.

• The law also affects marriage and family planning, voids marriages where one partner has changed gender, and prevents transgender persons from becoming foster or adoptive parents.

• The ban is rooted in the government's pursuit of what they consider to be the nation's "traditional values".

• Lawmakers argue that the law is necessary to combat "anti-Western family ideology".

• The crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia has been ongoing for a decade, with a number of restrictive measures introduced over the years.

• The government's stance on promoting "traditional family values" was supported by the Russian Orthodox Church.

• Various laws were enacted to suppress LGBTQ+ rights, including banning "non-traditional sexual relations" between minors and banning same-sex marriage.

• Last year, a law was introduced to suppress the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relations" among adults, further tightening restrictions on LGBTQ+ rights in the country.

Key Points

• Estonia is the first Central European country to allow same-sex marriage.

• Edgars Rinkevic is the first openly gay head of state in the European Union.