Current Affairs

The Indian government's security advisory from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a warning against multiple vulnerabilities in Samsung phones on December 13. The alert pointed out critical security issues affecting Samsung Mobile Android versions 11, 12, 13 and 14

 

These vulnerabilities could allow hackers to bypass security restrictions, access sensitive data and execute arbitrary code on targeted systems. This would allow attackers to breach the device SIM PIN, bypass Knox Guard and access AR Emoji sandbox data because of authorization issues with the AR Emoji app and improper access control in Konox features and more. 

Pangolin

Context:-

• A new report by TRAFFIC and World Wide Fund for Nature-India revealed that 1,203 pangolins were poached for illegal wildlife trade in India from 2018-2022.

• These were recovered in 342 seizure incidents across 24 states and one Union territory of India. The highest number of seizure incidents and pangolins seized were in Odisha

Characteristics of Pangolin

About:

• Pangolins are nocturnal mammals that dig burrows and feed on ants and termites, and play a vital role in ecosystem management, mostly in aerating and adding moisture to the soil.

• Pangolins are known for their unique appearance. They have scales made of keratin that cover their entire body.

• When threatened, they can roll into a ball to protect themselves.

Pangolin Species: 

There are eight Species of pangolin: 

• 4 Species in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin, White- bellied pangolin, Giant Ground pangolin and Temminck's Ground pangolin.

• 4 Species in Asia: Indian pangolin, Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin and the Chinese pangolin. 

Threats:

• Once known to be found in large numbers, its population is rapidly declining in its range due to habitat loss and rampant poaching for its skin, scales, and meat.

• Pangolins are among the most trafficked wild mammals, globally, traded mostly in Asia, where their scales are considered to be medicinal and their meat a delicacy. 

Protection Status: In the red list of animals published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Indian Pangolin is listed in the Endangered (EN) category.

• The Chinese pangolin has been listed as "critically endangered".

• In India, pangolins, both Indian and Chinese, are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that prohibits its hunting, trade or any other form of utilization.

• All pangolin species are listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I 

Context

Channapatna toys have now become part of children's academic activities in Afghanistan.

About Channapatna Toys:

• Channapatna toys are a particular form of wooden toys and dolls that are manufactured in the town of Channapatna in the Ramanagara district of Karnataka.

• Channapatna is also known as Gombegala Ooru (toy-town).

History:

• The history of Channapatna toys can be traced back to Tipu Sultan's reign as the former ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore in the 18th century. 

• According to legend, Tipu Sultan was so impressed with the craftsmanship of Persian artisans that he invited them to train local craftsmen in toy-making.

• This marked the beginning of the Channapatna toy industry, which has ever since flourished.

Features:

• Most of these toys are handmade using traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation, ensuring that each piece is unique. 

• Traditionally, they are mostly made of Ivory Wood sourced from nearby forests. However, nowadays, sandalwood and mango wood are also used.

• They are also painted in organic colours extracted from vegetables and plants and natural dyes, making the Channapatna Toys 100% chemical- free.

• Their shapes are mostly round and cubes with blunt edges, so they are completely safe for kids.

• They received the geographical indication (GI) tag in 2005. 

Context:-

India recently rejected a statement issued by the OIC on a judgment of the Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370 that guaranteed special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

About the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC):

• It is the second-largest organization in the world after the United Nations, with a collective population reaching over 1.8 billion.

• It was established in September 1969 upon a decision of the historical summit that took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco

• The OIC is the collective voice of the Muslim world to ensure and safeguard their interests in economic, social, and political areas. 

Objective:

• It aims to preserve Islamic values, safeguard and defend the national sovereignty and independence of member states, and contribute to international peace and security.

• It has a membership of 57 states spread over four continents.

• Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

• Official languages: Arabic, English, and French. 

Context:-

The UK has been witnessing a steady increase in the number of norovirus cases in recent weeks.

Norovirus:

• It is a very contagious virus that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea. • It is also sometimes referred to as the 'stomach flu' or the 'winter vomiting bug'.

• However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by the influenza virus.

• People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus. 

• People can get the norovirus illness many times in their lives because there are many different types of noroviruses. Infection with one type of norovirus may not give protection against other types.

• Transmission: People can catch Norovirus from:Close contact with someone with Norovirus

Touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching the mouth eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with Norovirus. 

• Is norovirus seasonal?

• Norovirus outbreaks usually happen seasonally in the colder months.

• It occurs most often between November and April in countries above the equator and between April and September in countries below the equator.

• There's usually no specific season for outbreaks in areas on the equator.

Symptoms:

• The initial symptoms of norovirus are vomiting and/or diarrhea, which show up one or two days after exposure to the virus.

• Patients also feel nauseous and suffer from abdominal pain, fever, headaches, and body aches.

• In extreme cases, the loss of fluids could lead to dehydration. 

Treatment:

• No vaccines are currently available to prevent norovirus.

• Treatment for the infection focuses on relieving the symptoms.

• It is important to maintain hydration in the acute phase. In extreme cases, patients have to be administered rehydration fluids intravenously. 

Context:-

• Recently, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Zonal Unit, Lucknow, seized 436 baby Indian Tent turtles from a person illegally transporting them interstate.

About the Indian Tent Turtle:

• The Indian tent turtle (Pangshura tentoria) is a species of turtle in the family Geoemydidae.

• It is an active swimmer and mainly herbivorous species.

Habitat: Its habitats include still water pools on the river side and slow running water near the river banks. 

Distribution: The species is native to India, Nepal and Bangladesh.

• Conservation status:

• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule 1

• IUCN Status: Least Concern

• CITES: Appendix II.

• Major Threats: Due to the attractive appearance of the species, they are illegally traded in the pet market. 

Context:-

• Recently, INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft has been commissioned into the Navy at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

About INS Tarmugli:

• It is the first Follow-on Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC), is an improved version of WJFAC, earlier constructed by GRSE.

• It is built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).

• It is conceived, designed and built indigenously.

• It would be deployed for coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India. 

• It is named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group.

Features:

• The ship is capable of operating in shallow waters at high speeds and is equipped with enhanced fire power.

• It is built for extended coastal and offshore surveillance and patrolling.

• It is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion and the latest communication equipment.