Today's Current Affairs 9th August 2023

SCIENCE & TEHNOLOGY 

Indian Defence Ministry Set To Use Locally Developed OS Maya To Prevent Cyberattacks

• The Defence Ministry has said that they are going to switch to Operating System Maya in all their computers in place of the Microsoft OS to prevent cyber and malware attacks. OS Maya was built locally based on open-source Ubuntu.
• With the increase of cyberattacks on defence and the critical infrastructure of the country has led the Defence Ministry to take this step.
• An official involved in this process told The Hindu, “Maya has the interface and all functionality like Windows and users will not feel much difference as they transition to it. To begin with, the direction is to install Maya on all computers connected to the Internet in South Block before August 15."
• Reportedly, a Chakravyuh will also be installed in the systems to avail an ‘end point detection and protection system’.
• The OS Maya is being installed on the computers of the Defence Ministry only and not on the rest of the Services. But the report says that the three other Services will soon adopt the operating system as the Navy has already cleared it and currently it is being evaluated by the Army and the Air Force

OBITURY

William Friedkin, director of ‘The Exorcist’ and 'The French Connection' passes away at 87

• Renowned American filmmaker William Friedkin, known for directing iconic movies like "The Exorcist" and "The French Connection," has passed away at the age of 87.
• Friedkin had been residing in Los Angeles and had been facing various undisclosed health challenges in the past few years, according to Stephen Galloway, a former executive editor at the Hollywood Reporter.
• AFP reported that director Guillermo del Toro took the forefront in honouring William Friedkin, by hailing him as "one of the Gods of Cinema."

Renowned Malayalam director, screenwriter Siddique Ismail passes away

• Renowned Malayalam director and screenwriter Siddique Ismail has passed away at 63. He was known for making movies like Friends (2001), Engal Anna (2004), Sadhu Miranda (2008), Kaalavan (2011), and Bhaskar Oru Rascal (2018). His final directorial venture was the 2020 action thriller film Big Brother, which starred Mohanlal, Arbaaz Khan, Anoop Menon, and Honey Rose.
• Starting their directorial journey as the ‘Siddique-Lal’ duo, they marked their debut with the timeless comedy Ramji Rao Speaking (1989), which was funded by Fazil. This kickstarted a series of remarkable successes in Malayalam cinema history, including iconic films like In Harihar Nagar (1990), Godfather (1991), Vietnam Colony (1992), Kabooliwala (1993), and Hitler (1996). 

 IMPORTANT DAYS

World Nagasaki Day

• Nagasaki Day, observed annually on August 9th, holds a somber significance in global history. It marks the day when the Japanese city of Nagasaki was devastated by an atomic bomb during World War II. This day serves as a reminder of the immense destructive power of nuclear weapons and the need for lasting peace. Japan’s Nagasaki on Wednesday marked the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing.
• As World War II raged on, the United States, along with its allies, sought to end the conflict with Japan. The decision to use atomic bombs was driven by the desire to expedite Japan’s surrender and avoid a protracted, costly invasion.
• The First Atomic Bomb: Hiroshima, another Japanese city, became the first target of an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. The destruction caused by the bomb prompted global shock and horror, leading to calls for Japan’s surrender.
• The Fateful Day: On August 9, 1945, a second atomic bomb, codenamed “Fat Man,” was dropped on Nagasaki. The bomb detonated above the city, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.

International Day Of The World’s Indigenous Peoples

• Annually, on August 9th, the world observes World Tribal Day, dedicated to advocating for and safeguarding the rights of indigenous populations.
• It's a day to recognize their valuable contributions and accomplishments that have enhanced global living conditions.
• Also referred to as World Indigenous Day or International Day of World's Indigenous People, this occasion offers a prime opportunity to actively work towards safeguarding the fundamental rights of tribal communities worldwide.
• History - In December 1994, the United Nations General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples should be observed on August 9th each year. The date was chosen in recognition of the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights held in Geneva in 1982.

SUMMIT'S & MOU's

UP government inks MoU with Mexican state for investment in tourism, infra sectors

• The Uttar Pradesh government signed an MoU with Mexican state of Nuevo Leon for investments in tourism, infrastructure and pharma and medical sectors in the state.
• The MoU was signed in the presence of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Nuevo Leon's Governor Samuel Garcia Cefalveda.
• As the delegation of Nuevo Leon is exploring possibilities of industrial investment in UP, the state has positioned itself as a key destination for various sectors including the logistics and tourism sectors, led by modern infrastructure, expressways, interstate connectivity, air connectivity, rail network, inland waterway and a dedicated freight corridor junction.
• As many as 25 sectoral policies are in place to attract industrial investment, and facilities for investment are being extended to investors, as stated by UP Chief Minister.

India,Vietnam holds 5th Joint Trade Sub-Commission meeting in New Delhi

• The 5th meeting of India-Vietnam Joint Trade Sub-Commission JTSC was held in New Delhi today. The meeting was co-chaired by the Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce Rajesh Agrawal from the Indian side, and Deputy Minister, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ms. Phan Thi Thang from the Vietnam side. This meeting was held after a gap of more than four years since 4th JTSC meeting held in January 2019, on account of COVID-19 pandemic and other factors.
• Vietnam is the 23rd largest global trade partner of India and the 5th largest among ASEAN countries with bilateral trade of 14.70 Billion dollars during 2022-23. Vietnam accounts for 11.2 percent of India’s total trade with ASEAN. Vietnam is an important destination for India’s iron and steel and agricultural and animal products mainly meat products, animal fodder, cereals, and marine products.

BANKING AND ECONOMY

Bajaj Finance partners with new partner ICICI Lombard General Insurance to offer motor insurance policies

• Bajaj Finance has partnered with ICICI Lombard General Insurance (https://www.bajajfinserv.in/insurance/icicilombard) along with other partners to provide car and two-wheeler insurance plans (/topic/two-wheeler-insurance-plans) on the platform Bajaj Finance Insurance Mall. These policies can be bought instantly on the platform through an all-digital and seamless customer experience journey.
• The ICICI Lombard Car and Two-wheeler Insurance policies offer comprehensive damage coverage, including third-party cover and various add-on benefits to vehicle owners. These policies provide extensive coverage against various risks and damages to vehicles.