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Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 19 September 2020

::NATIONAL::

Centre to come up with National Cyber Security Strategy

The Union government is set to come up with National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 for ensuring a safe, secured, trusted and resilient cyber space, National Security Adviser AjitDoval has said.
He was delivering the keynote address at c0c0n, the two-day virtual international conference on hacking and cybersecurity, being organised jointly by the Kerala police, the Society for the Policing of Cyber Space and the Information Security and Research Association.
Mr.Doval said that the proposed strategy aimed at bringing together all cybersecurity agencies for securing, strengthening and synergising the cybersecurity ecosystem by closely associating with businesses, citizens and beyond.
He said that attempts were being made by adversaries to exploit the crisis in the wake of the pandemic through various misinformation, fake news and social media campaigns.
He said that phishing campaigns using the COVID-19 theme targeted banks, defence and critical infrastructure during this period.
“Malicious domains and websites to the tune of around 5,000 were registered in a short span of time. We have also witnessed an increase of 500% in cybercrime owing to people’s limited awareness and poor cyber hygiene. Financial frauds have also increased owing to the increased reliance on digital payment platforms,” he said.

Supreme court seeks response on ART ban on livestocks

The Supreme Court on Friday asked the government to respond to a plea to ban Artificial Reproduction Technique (ART), including Artificial Insemination (AI), used on livestock and other animals.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde issued notice to the government, the Animal Husbandry Department, the Animal Welfare Board of India, and the National Biodiversity Authority. The petition was filed by Madurai resident Dr. S. Venkatesh.
The petition said ART performed on livestock/animals without any proven biomedical need was cruel, illegal, mala fide and contrary to the established principles of law. It said invasive techniques were used on animals which were not even anaesthetised to the pain but merely restrained physically.
“Reproduction is a basic natural and biological need as well as urge of all living beings and no authority can arbitrarily trample or destroy the rights or needs of any living being, including animals, by means of policy or practice, which in itself against nature and natural principles,” the petition said.

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::ECONOMY::

FM claims bulk of additional spending to go towards people-centric schemes

Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman said that the bulk of additional spending sought in the first batch of supplementary demands for grants would be utilised towards people-centric schemes to help them amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Replying in the LokSabha after discussion on one of the highest supplementary demands for grants in the Indian history, the minister laid out details for the additional expenditure of over 2 lakh 35 thousand crore rupees with net cash outgo of nearly 1 lakh 66 thousand crore rupees.
LokSabha approved the first batch of the supplementary demands for grants in its sitting yesterday which lasted till late in the night. The supplementary funds will mainly be utilised by the government to meet expenses for combating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms.Sitharaman informed that the government will be pushing in additional 40 thousand crore rupees in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme to help sustain the demand driven employment scheme amidst the viral pandemic. She said, with the fresh addition the total outgo towards the MGNREGA scheme would surpass 1 lakh crore rupees.
Additional demands to the tune of 20 thousand crore rupees for capital infusion in public sector banks and over 33 thousand crore rupees for direct benefit transfer under the PradhanMantri Jan DhanYojana and National Social Assistance Programme has also been sought by the government.
The Finance Minister said because of the digital initiatives of the government under the guidance of Prime Minister NarendraModi, it has now become possible to send money directly into the accounts of the poor people.

IFC to provide funds for development of green buildings

The International Finance Corporation has said that two trillion dollars will be provided to India to develop green buildings, improve public transport and to expand renewable sources of energy.
Addressing the “e-DIALOGUE on Ease of Living and Sustainable Development Goals-2020-21" held in Mumbai, IFC's Country Head Jun Zhang said the organisation is committed to urban development in India.

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::INTERNATIONAL::

U.S bans Chinese apps citing national security threat

The United States has banned download of Chinese app TikTok and use of messaging and payment platform WeChat, saying they threaten national security.
The ban will come into effect from tomorrow night. In a statement, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said, Chinese Communist Party has demonstrated the means and motives to use these apps to threaten the national security, foreign policy, and the economy of the US.
The initiative will ban WeChat and TikTok from the online marketplaces operated by Apple and Google. While WeChat will effectively be shut down in the US from tomorrow night, existing TikTok users will be able to continue using the app until November 12 - when it will also face a full ban on its US operations. Ross said, from tomorrow night, TikTok users will not have access to improved apps, d apps, upgraded apps, or maintenance.
TikTok has slammed the decision and vowed to fight the Trump administration's ongoing crackdown on the company. It said, the ban impedes a tool for entertainment, self-expression and connection.

NSA level meetings of BRICS countries held virtually

BRICS countries have agreed to continue supporting the World Health Organization in playing a leading role, and to strengthen BRICS countries' cooperation in bio-safety governance and vaccine research and development.
The 10th meeting of National Security Advisors of BRICS countries was held on Thursday via video link. Member nations exchanged views on wide ranging issues including bio-safety, anti-terrorism and cyber security. India was represented by NSA AjitDoval.

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::SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY::

Eight Indian beaches to acquire Blue Flag international eco-label

Environment Minister PrakashJavadekar has said that eight beaches of the country have been recommended for the coveted ‘Blue Flag’ international eco-label. He said, clean beaches are a testimony to good environment in coastal areas and India’s many beaches are among the best in the world.
Speaking on the eve of ‘International Coastal Clean-Up Day’ celebrated across 100 countries since 1986, Mr Javadekar said, for the first time, eight beaches of India have been recommended for the Blue Flag certification. B
lue Flag certification is a globally recognised eco-label accorded by an international agency ‘Foundation for Environment Education, Denmark’ based on 33 stringent criteria in four major heads–environmental education and information, bathing water quality, environment management and conservation and safety and services in the beaches.

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::SPORTS::

Naomi Osaka pulls out of French open

Naomi Osaka, who captured her third Grand Slam title at the US Open on September 12, pulled out of the upcoming French Open with a hamstring injury on Thursday. The third Slam of the season is due to start on September 27 at Roland Garros.

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