11th Sept Daily current affairs for UPSC Civil Service Exam

Xafecopy Trojan

• It is a new malware detected in India which steals money through victims' mobile phones.
• Its attacks are targeted in countries where mobile payment method is popular.
• Around 40% of target of the malware has been detected in India.
• It uses technology to bypass 'captcha' systems designed to protect users by confirming the action is being performed by a human.
• This malware can delete incoming text messages to hide alerts from mobile network operators about stolen money.

Giant African snail

• The infestation of giant African snail in the key coffee-growing areas of Karnataka has triggered concerns.
• The pest has surfaced over an estimated 1,500 acres this year.
• It has led to higher cultivation costs, impacting earnings of coffee and pepper.
• The tender plants of coffee, pepper vines and papaya, among others, have been damaged by the pests in the regions.
• This snail species has been considered a significant cause in pest issues around the world.
• Internationally, it is the most frequently occurring invasive species of snail.
• It is a nuisance pest for urban areas, and spreads human disease.

Latest edition of consolidated policy

• The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) has released its latest edition of consolidated Foreign Direct Investment Policy.
• The consolidated policy lays down the general conditions on FDI, procedures for government approval and sector specific conditions on FDI.

FDI policy for Start-ups

• The policy specifies that start-ups can raise up to 100% of funds from Foreign Venture Capital Investor (FVCI) against receipt of foreign remittance.
• A start-up company engaged in a sector where foreign investment requires government approval may issue convertible notes to a non-resident only with the approval of the government.

FDI policy for Airlines

• According to the new policy, the Centre will not allow foreign airlines to pick a stake in Air India.
• Foreign airlines are allowed to invest in the capital of Indian companies operating scheduled and non-scheduled air transport services up to the limit of 49%.
• In effect, this rules out the participation of any foreign airline in the proposed Air India divestment.

Folic acid

• Folic acid significantly lowers the risk of developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children, even when their mothers are exposed to household or agricultural pesticides associated with increased risk.
• Folic acid is essential for the body to make DNA, RNA, and metabolise amino acids which are required for cell division.
• It may be taken orally or by injection.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the name for a group of developmental disorders.
• ASD includes a wide range, “a spectrum” of symptoms, skills, and levels of disability.
• People with ASD often have these characteristics:

1. Ongoing social problems that include difficulty in communicating and interacting with others.
2. Repetitive behaviours as well as limited interests or activities.
3. Symptoms that typically are recognized in the first two years of life.
4. Symptoms that hurt the individual’s ability to function socially, at school or work, or in other areas of life.

ICEX

• The Indian Commodity Exchange (ICEX) launched the world's first diamond futures contracts to provide exporters with a hedging tool.
• Diamond was notified as a commodity for derivatives trading on online exchanges.
• Indian Commodity Exchange Limited is a screen based on-line derivatives exchange for commodities and has established a reliable, time tested, and a transparent trading platform.
• It has set up process by putting in place grading and vaulting facilities in order to facilitate deliveries.
• Major shareholders are Reliance Exchangenext Ltd, Indiabulls Financial Services Ltd., Indian Potash and IDFC Bank.

Source: Sankar IAS