Current Affairs 4th July 2017

Current Affairs 4th July 2017 - Important Points

• Telangana IPS Officer Mahesh Bhagwat conferred - Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes Award 2017
• Petya Ransomware  - Threat to Modern Technology
• Eastbourne International Women’s Singles title won by - Karolina Pliskova
• Madhya Pradesh sets new record by planting 6 Crore saplings in - Just 12 hours
• Indian-Americans Shantanu Narayen and Vivek Murthy honoured with Great Immigrants Award on - 4th July 2017
• PM Modi embarks on his two-nation tour to Israel and Germany on - 4th July 2017
• Flood situation has raised in - Manipur
• World’s longest submarine cable system launched by - Reliance Jio
• Achal Kumar Joti appointed as Chief Election Commissioner on - 4th July 2017

Current Affairs 4th July 2017 - Details

Telangana IPS Officer Mahesh Bhagwat conferred - Trafficking in Persons Report Heroes Award 2017

The US State Department conferred the 2017 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Heroes Award to an IPS officer from Telangana, Mahesh Muralidhar Bhagwat, who currently serves as Rachakonda Police Commissioner.

The IPS officer was recognized for his important role in elevating human trafficking as the priority of the government, and his innovative approach to investigate cases and dismantling trafficking.
Bhagwat became the third IPS officer to receive the honour after bagging this award.
Bhagwat joins seven other individuals around the world who were recognised for their efforts despite resistance, opposition and threats to their lives in order to protect victims, punish offenders and raise awareness of ongoing criminal practices in their respective countries and abroad.

Petya Ransomware  - Threat to Modern Technology

On 27th June 2017, several organizations across the world, especially in the Europe, reported ransomware infecting their systems, modifying their master boot records and encrypting the files.
Even in India, operations at one of three terminals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai were disrupted by the global ransomware attack in the last week of June month.
The ransomware, which was identified as a new strain of the existing Petya, is spreading rapidly,
affecting organizations, businesses, and end users. This malware is Ukraine-originated

More on this malware -
Ransomware is a type of malicious software infecting and restricting access to a computer until a ransom is paid. Ransomware is frequently spreading through phishing emails and exploits unpatched vulnerabilities in software, although there are other methods of delivery too.

Modus operandi

Phishing emails are crafted to appear as if they have been sent from a legitimate organization or known individual. These emails often allure users to click on a link or open an attachment containing malicious code. After the code runs, a computer becomes prone to infections from this malware.

Reason Petya Ransomware?
The recent malware bears superficial resemblance to the latest versions of Petya, which is a ransomware strain first spotted in 2015 only.  Petya is Russian for "Pete”, which means rock in the Greek.

Eastbourne International Women’s Singles title won by - Karolina Pliskova

Czech tennis player Karolina Pliskova defeated Danish Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets to win the Eastbourne International Women’s Singles title on 1st July 2017. Pliskova scripted a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Wozniacki in just 78 minutes. The win at the United Kingdom's Eastbourne tournament is Pliskova's ninth title in her career. The winner of the Men’s Singles title is Novak Djokovic.
More about Karolina Pliskova 

• Born on 21st March 1992, Karolina Pliskova is a Czech professional tennis player.
• She has won eight singles and five doubles titles on the WTA tour so far.
• She has also won 10 singles and six doubles titles on the ITF circuit in her career.
• On 31st October 2016, she peaked at world No. 11 in the doubles rankings.
• She reached her first career Grand Slam final in the 2016 US Open, where she was runner-up in three sets.
  Do you know?
  The Eastbourne International is a tennis tournament on the Women's Tennis Association Tour and the ATP World Tour held at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club, Eastbourne, United Kingdom.

 Madhya Pradesh sets new record by planting 6 Crore saplings in - Just 12 hours

The Madhya Pradesh government undertook a massive plantation drive on 2nd July 2017 to save the environment and for the conservation of the Narmada River. According to official sources,
more than six Crore saplings were planted in 24 districts of Narmada basin in just 12 hours.
State’s Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched this campaign who performed puja and planted saplings at Amarkantak, river Narmada’s origin point. He then took part in plantation drives at Jabalpur and Omkareshwar.

Speaking on the occasion, Chouhan stated that now all the government programs will be beginning with plantation in the state and Paudrakshaks will be deployed to take care of these plants.
He also called upon people to plant saplings on other events like wedding, birthday and anniversaries.
Chouhan further said that while the world talks about global warming and climate change, Madhya Pradesh has taken a concrete step to deal with it. He said that the people of the state  cannot imagine the life without the existence of river Narmada and so, they decided to plant trees on its banks.

Important Highlights

• The plantation drive that started from 7 am continued till 7 pm along the banks of the river covering 24 districts of MP.
• The forest department arranged three crore saplings , while the remaining 3 Crore were provided by other departments and private nurseries.
• Representatives of the Guinness World Records too were present at different spots to monitor the drive.
• The state is still collecting the data of the saplings planted and yet to reach the exact figure of planted saplings.
• Uttar Pradesh currently holds the record of planting five Crore saplings in one day. The state planted the trees in two days in July last year.

Indian-Americans Shantanu Narayen and Vivek Murthy honoured with Great Immigrants Award on - 4th July 2017

Two Indian-Americans, Adobe Chief Shantanu Narayen and former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, are among 38 immigrants to be honored with the Great Immigrants Award on 4th July 2017. They will be honoured for their role in helping advance the country's culture, society and economy on the Independence Day of the United States of America.
More about Shantanu Narayen

• Born on 27th May 1963, Shantanu Narayen is an Indian immigrant business executive and the CEO of Adobe Systems.
• He was the President and Chief Operating Officer since 2005 before this.
• He has an undergraduate degree in electronics engineering, a master’s degree in computer science, and an MBA from UC Berkeley.
  More about Vivek Murthy
• He is an American physician and also a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, born on 10th July 1977.
• He served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States. Appointed in 2014 by former President Barack Obama, he was the first-ever Indian-American to have this post and also the youngest ever surgeon general of the country.

Do you know?
The award is given annually on the occasion of Independence Day of United States on 4th July every year to naturalised citizens of US instituted by New York-based Carnegie Corporation in 2006.

PM Modi embarks on his two-nation tour to Israel and Germany on - 4th July 2017

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-nation tour to Israel and Germany on 4th July 2017. On the first attempt of his visit, Modi will go to Israel on three-day tour where he will be holding talks with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on all matters of mutual interest.

Key Highlights

• Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to ever visit to the country.
• Modi stated that both the leaders will also discuss major common challenges like terrorism in his facebook.
• Mr. Modi stated that he is looking forward to interact with the great vibrant Indian diaspora in Israel that represents an enduring link between the both the countries.
• Modi will also be inviting President Reuven Rivlin.
• Pavan Kapoor, who is Indian Ambassador to Israel said Modi's visit will strengthen the relations between both the two countries.
• Kapoor said the discussions between both the Prime Ministers will be focusing on water management, agriculture,science,defense, technology and space.
• MoUs on cybersecurity, science and technology and space are expected to be signed during the visit.
• In the second and final leg of his tour, Modi will be commencing his visit to Hamburg, Germany on 6th July 2017 evening to attend the 12th G-20 Summit.
• The Prime Minister, in Israel, will also attend a CEO forum in which CEOs of companies from both the nations will participate to discuss their shared priority of expanding the bilateral trade and investment.
• The Prime Minister will also be visiting the Indian cemetery in Haifa where he will be paying homage to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the World War 1.
• Both the countries are commemorating 25 years of diplomatic relations this year.
• He also added in the Facebook post that in next two days i.e on 7th and 8th July, he is looking forward to engage leaders from other G-20 countries on the vital issues affecting our world today that have a bearing on sustainable development, economic growth, and peace and stability.

Flood situation has raised in - Manipur

An emergency review meeting held on 3rd July 2017 to assess the flood situation in Manipur decided to declare the present disaster as a ‘State Calamity.’
The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N Biren Singh and attended by Irrigation & Flood Control Department (IFCD) Minister Letpao Haokip, Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Chief Secretary O. Nabakishore, Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Commissioners, DCs and Directors of different Departments , was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The meeting was called due to the worse flood situation in many localities in the state.
The decision was brought upon after thoroughly reviewing the reports presented by the concerned officials and DCs. In addition to this, Biren Singh also informed at the meeting that he has requested the Central Government to declare Manipur’s flood situation as a calamity of ‘severe nature’.

Important Points

• A 24×7 State Disaster Control Room with telephone number 0385-2443441 has been opened to attend to distress calls from the public and to co-ordinate with the DCs and concerned state departments with an immediate effect.
• The state’s existing Flood Control Room of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) having telephone number 0385-2451550 will also be attending similar needs.
• The state has also opened District Disaster Control Rooms that would be functioning round the clock.
• Manipur CM has also directed the concerned officials to open at least two medical camps in all the flood affected districts.
• Biren Singh has also asked officials of IFCD to make necessary arrangements to immediately rush flood fighting materials to the affected areas.
• Singh has also directed the DCs to provide relief materials to the affected people.
  He has also instructed the Veterinary Department to step up measures to give necessary care to cattle and other domestic animals in the flood affected areas.
• The Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) officials have also been asked to distribute drinking water to the affected areas.
• Two nodal officers have been appointed by Directorate of Health Services and Directorate of AYUSH each to attend calls from flood affected people regarding health/medical related matters.

Emergency Numbers
Directorate of Health Services: 9436206298, 9862284898
Directorate of AYUSH: 9436894604, 9862003144

World’s longest submarine cable system launched by - Reliance Jio

Reliance Jio announced the launch of the Asia-Africa-Europe (AAE-1) submarine cable system on 29th June 2017. AAE-1 is expected to be the world’s longest 100Gbps technology-based submarine system.
The cable will be stretching from Marseille in France to Hong Kong, covering 25000 km and will have 21 cable landings across Asia and Europe.
The project is a combination of leading telecom service providers from Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Important Highlights

• AAE-1 will be helping in catering the increasing demand for video centric data in India and other regions.
• It will also seamlessly link with other cable systems and fibre networks to deliver direct access to all global markets.
• The cable system will come with 100Gbps transmission technology and a minimum design capacity of 40 Tbps.
• Its advanced design and route will offer one of the lowest latency routes between India, Middle East, Hong Kong and Europe.
• Reliance Jio will be providing the Network Operations & Management for AAE-1 Cable System with the help of it.
• Its Network Operations Center (NOC) will be using a state of the art facility in Navi Mumbai.
• Speaking on the development, Mathew Oommen, President-Jio stated that the new terabit capacity and 100Gbps direct connectivity to global content hubs and  interconnection points ensure that Jio will continue to offer its customers the most exceptional high-speed internet and digital service experience.
• He further added that they are excited to participate in the launch and deliver the cable landing in Mumbai at the time when India’s data traffic continues its accelerated data consumption and growth.

Achal Kumar Joti appointed as Chief Election Commissioner on - 4th July 2017

Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti was appointed as the next Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on 4th July 2017. According to a notification issued by the law ministry, Achal Kumar Joti would be taking over as the 21st Head of the Election Commission on 6th July 2017 as Mr. Zaidi would be resigning from his position on 5th July.
More about Achal Kumar Joti

• 64-year-old Joti, is a 1975-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer.
• He served as the Chief Secretary of Gujarat when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the state’s Chief Minister and retired from that post in January 2013.
• He had joined the three-member poll panel as an election commissioner on 8th May 2015 and would be in office until 17th January 2018.
• He has also previously served as the Gujarat vigilance commissioner and worked in various capacities in the state, including as the chairman of the Kandla Port Trust from 1999 to 2004.
• He is also the Managing Director of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL).
• He was also the secretary in the industry, revenue and water supply departments of the state.