Cyber agencies detected new malware threat âSaposhiâ ... In May 2017, the Army took delivery of two M777 ultralight
Evening News Digest March 8 2018
8 March 2018 Animal welfare board headquarters shifted to Ballabhgarh In order to make the better coordination between AWBI and the Environment Ministry, the govt. has shifted the headquarters of the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) from Chennai to Haryana's Ballabhgarh. As per the Rule 3 of the Animal Welfare Board (Administrative) Rules, 1962 states 'The Headquarter of the Board hall be at New Delhi or at such other place as the central government, may, after consultation with the Board direct. Animal welfare board of India: The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1960. Well-known humanitarian Rukmini Devi Arundale was instrumental in setting up the board and was its first chair. The Board suggests changes to laws and rules about animal welfare issues Cyber agencies detected new malware threat “Saposhi” After Mirai and Reaper, cybersecurity agencies have detected a new malware called Saposhi. This new detected malware is capable of taking over electronic devices and turning them into ‘bots’, which can be then used for any purpose, including a Distributed Denial Of Service attack which, with enough firepower, can cripple entire industries. Saposhi is similar in its intensity to Reaper, which was taking over millions of devices at the rate of 10,000 devices per day. Malwares like Saposhi, Reaper and Mirai are primarily aimed at DDoS attacks, in which the malware first creates a network of bots — called a botnet — and then uses the botnet to ping a single server at the same time. India’s first helitaxi service launched in Bengaluru In a first-of-its-kind service, India's much-awaited app-based heli taxi service was launched in Bengaluru. The maiden trip of the heli taxi was between a Bengaluru airport and Electronic City. The service is being priced at Rs 4,130 per seat including GST. The service includes pick up from airport terminal to the helipad and allowed to carry 15 kg luggage, but would be charged extra for more luggage. The Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), located in Devanahalli, about 40 km from the city centre, had tied up with helicopter service provider Thumby Aviation to ferry air passengers to and from the city. India- US jointly test fired M777 Ultra- light howitzers at Pokhran A group of officials from India and the United States has test fired M777 Ultra- light howitzers at pokhran. During trial firing, a projectile had burst in the barrel. After the accident, the two sides formed a joint team to examine the issue. In May 2017, the Army took delivery of two M777 ultralight howitzers made by the BAE Systems US under a contract signed in 2016. M777 Ultra- light howitzers: The M777 howitzer is a towed 155 mm artillery piece. The M777 is manufactured by BAE Systems' Global Combat Systems division. It weighs 4100 kg and can be easily transported by helicopters.
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8 March 2018 WTO sets up Dispute Settlement body on India-US solar Dispute The WTO's dispute settlement body has agreed to set up a panel to determine whether India has complied with its ruling in a case against the US regarding domestic content requirements for solar cells and modules. The US, which is of the opinion that New Delhi continues to apply the “WTO-inconsistent measures”, had in December last year approached the Geneva-based multi-lateral organisation demanding action against India for non-compliance of the WTO ruling. India, however, has been maintaining that it has complied with the WTO’s ruling. India had requested the WTO to set up a panel to determine its compliance with the rulings of the dispute. Neil Basu: First person of Asia appointed as Scotland Yard’s Counterterrorism Chief Senior Indian-origin Scotland Yard officer Neil Basu has been appointed as the counter-terrorism chief. He will take charge as the force's National Lead for Counter Terrorism (CT) and the Head of the Met Police's Specialist Operations following the resignation of incumbent Mark Rowley on March 21. Basu, currently the Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner, will be promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner for Specialist Operations.
Rs. 1000 crore sanctioned for IMPRINT India Phase-II program In a major boost for research and innovation in the country, the Central Government has sanctioned a sum of Rs. 1000 crore for the phase two of the Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) India programme. The IMPRINT-II, a fund is being created by the Department of Science and Technology and Ministry of Human Resource Development together, in which participation will come from industry and other interested Ministries. The project will be run as a separate vertical in coordination with the DST. Prof. Indranil Manna of IIT-Kharagpur will be the National Coordinator. IMPRINT –I: Under the IMPRINT-I Programme, 142 projects at a cost of Rs. 318.71 crore are already under implementation. These projects cover crucial domains like security and defence, information technology, energy, sustainable habitat, advance materials, health care, nano technology, climate change, etc.
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8 March 2018 Nitin Gadkari to launch Sukhad Yatra App for Highway users Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari will launch a mobile App and Tollfree Emergency number for Highway users on 7 March 2018 in New Delhi. The Sukhad Yatra App, has been prepared by National Highways Authority of India, NHAI, to empower the Highway user. The key feature of the app includes provision for the user to enter road quality-related information or to report any accident or pothole on the highway. It also aims at inculcating the habit of road safety, like behavioural and attitudinal changes among drivers. Training course will be conducted for drivers who carry dangerous/hazardous goods. The app can also be used by the users to purchase the FASTag and further facilitate the highway user experience. The service is supported by a multi-lingual support and user location tracking features to provide the user with accurate and responsive complaint resolution. 'Vision for Future' event marks 70 years of Indo-Russia ties India-Russia diplomatic relations have completed 70 years of successful partnership. As part of the celebrations, International Federation of Indo-Russian Youth Clubs jointly with BRICS International Forum presented a programme -- Vision for Future. The event was held in New Delhi, seeking to expose the youth with the dynamic opportunities of cooperation between the two countries. A Russian delegation is also visiting India as part of the 70th year celebrations. The program, inaugurated at the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra, was organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (Eurasia Division) and the International Federation of Indo-Russian Youth Clubs. All Women Stations on South Central Railway With an aim to empower the women to work force in Railways and to develop their morale and self-confidence, South Central Railway has taken initiative to make Chandragiri railway station in Guntakal Division, an ‘All Women Station’. It will deploy women staff to handle all the day to day activities including train operations, ticketing, security and other relevant duties. Two more railway stations in the region, Begumpet railway station on Secunderabad Division and Phirangipuram railway station on Guntur Division are also set to become All Women Station’ from March 8 coinciding with ‘International Women’s Day’.
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