Israeli spyware
Why in news?
- It has been reported that the popular messaging platform WhatsApp was used to spy on journalists and human rights activists in India earlier this year.
- The surveillance was carried out using a spyware tool called Pegasus.
Points to known
- Pegasus is spyware that can be installed on mobile devices. It is regarded as one of the “most sophisticated” smartphone spyware.
- Pegasus works by sending an exploit link, and if the target user clicks on the link, the malware or the code that allows the surveillance is installed on the user’s phone. Once Pegasus is installed, the attacker has complete access to the target user’s phone.
- It has been developed by the Israeli cyberarms firm, NSO Group. The NSO Group is a Tel Aviv-based cyber-security company that specialises in “surveillance technology” and claims to help governments and law enforcement agencies across the world fight crime and terrorism.
Alumni endowment fund
Why in news?
- President Ram Nath Kovind has launched endowment fund of IIT Delhi.
Key highlights
- President Ram Nath Kovind launched the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi global alumni endowment fund that will have an initial commitment of more than ₹250 crore, nearly half of which will come from Flipkart co-founders.
- For the fund with an initial seed capital of ₹255 crore, IIT Delhi has set an aggressive target of raising ₹1,000 crore by 2020 and ₹7,000 crore by 2025, according to IIT officials.
- The initial endowment amount and commitments have been collected from around two dozen alumni, who are committing between ₹5 crore and ₹25 crore each, except Flipkart co-founders Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal who have contributed ₹125 crore.
- Endowments globally have become integral part of the financial health of educational institutions and through this alumni are playing critical role in supporting and nurturing future generations of learners.
- In the latest QS World University ranking 2020, IIT Delhi was ranked at 182.
International Atomic Energy Agency
Why in news?
- Argentina’s Rafael Grossi has been appointed as the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) following the death of his predecessor, Yukiya Amano of Japan, in July. He is the first Latin American to hold this position.
Key highlights
- It is widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization within the United Nations family.
- It is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology.
- Though established as an autonomous organisation, independently of the United Nations through its own international treaty, the IAEA Statute, the IAEA reports to both the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council.
About:
- Headquarters is in Vienna, Austria.
- The IAEA has 171 member states. Most UN members and the Holy See are Member States of the IAEA.
- The IAEA and its former Director General, Mohamed ElBaradei, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Award to Promote Peace and Interfaith Understanding
Why in news?
- Punjab State Cabinet passed a unanimous resolution to institute Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji Award for Promotion of Peace and Interfaith Understanding.
About:
- The award has been instituted in commemoration of the 550th Prakash Purb of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- The award would carry a citation and a cash prize of 11 lakh rupees.
- This coveted award would be given each year and would be adjudicated by a jury to be notified by the State Government.
Chavang Kut
Why in news?
- Chavang Kut, the post-harvest festival of the Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities is being celebrated across North-Eastern states with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.
Key highlights
- It is one of the most important festivals of Kuki-Chin-Mizo communities.
- In Manipur, Mizoram and Assam and other parts of country, the festival is organized every year on the first day of November month. It is a state holiday in Manipur.
- Chavang stands for ‘autumn’ and Kut mean ‘harvest’. The festival is observed to mark the end of the harvesting season and also to thank deities for a good harvest season.
- One of the major attraction of this festival is the Miss Kut Beauty Pageant which also includes many Folk dances and music performances from various artists.