The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has issued a high-security warning for Apple products due to “multiple vulnerabilities.” These vulnerabilities could potentially be exploited by attackers to gain control of the devices, either by manipulating privileges or bypassing safety restrictions. The issues are related to certificate validation, kernel problems, and errors in the WebKit component of Apple products.
Enhanced Security Alert for Apple Devices
Attack vectors for these vulnerabilities may include malicious attachments or compromised websites, enabling attackers to access users’ personal files and information or install malware on the affected systems. It is noted that iOS versions prior to 16.7 are particularly vulnerable, affecting various Apple devices such as MacBooks, watches, iPads, and iPhones.
Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, and Chittoor Witnessing a Surge in Cybercrime Activity:
Hyderabad and Mahabubnagar in Telangana, along with Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, have recently emerged as new cybercrime hotspots in India, as revealed in a white paper titled ‘A Deep Dive into Cybercrime Trends Impacting India,’ released by The Future Crime Research Foundation (FCRF).
This nonprofit startup, incubated at IIT Kanpur, sheds light on these emerging cybercrime areas and emphasizes the need for proactive measures to address this growing threat. The FCRF categorized cybercrimes into nine distinct groups based on their characteristics. Online financial fraud dominates the cybercrime landscape, accounting for 77.41% of cases, with online and social media-related crimes following at 12.02%.
Within online financial fraud, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) fraud is the most prevalent, constituting 47.25% of such crimes, followed by debit and credit card fraud and sim swap fraud at 11.27%, and internet banking-related fraud at 9.28%, among others. The white paper identifies several factors contributing to the vulnerability of the top 10 cybercrime-prone districts in India. These factors include their proximity to major urban centers, limited cybersecurity infrastructure, socioeconomic challenges, and low levels of digital literacy.
FCRF also identifies cybercriminal hotspots and the nature of cybercrimes, providing insights into prevalent cyber threats in specific regions. This information underscores the importance of targeted strategies and awareness campaigns to effectively combat these emerging challenges.
The significant rise in cybercrime incidents can be attributed to various factors such as low skill requirements, inadequate know-your-customer (KYC) processes and verification, the availability of fake resources, affordable artificial intelligence tools, and the recruitment and training of individuals, creating a growing pool of potential cyber criminals. Even in Hyderabad, Many Crimes are happening.
Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, and Chittoor Witnessing a Surge in Cybercrime Activity
Harshvardhan Singh, co-founder of FCRF, emphasizes the urgent need for enhanced training and capacity building across all sectors, including law enforcement, government, corporations, and individuals. This collective effort aims to bolster India’s defenses against cyber threats and create a safer digital environment.
Shashank Shekhar, co-founder of FCRF, highlights that these insights provide valuable information for combating cybercrime. Law enforcement agencies can strategically allocate resources, governments can formulate effective policies, corporations can enhance their cybersecurity measures, and individuals can take proactive steps to protect their digital assets.
“Warner Bros. Discovery Inaugurates Its ‘Hyderabad Capability Centre’ with Honorable Presence”
During the official launch of the ‘Hyderabad Capability Centre’ by Warner Bros. Discovery, K.T. Rama Rao, Minister of IT and Industries, commended the company for its iconic brands in television, films, and streaming. He expressed pride in the company’s choice of city as the location for its development center.
Rama Rao highlighted the rapid establishment of the Hyderabad Capability Centre, which went from announcement to inauguration within just four months. He also referenced the prior declaration made by Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Capability Centre in the State capital, which was made during a meeting with Alex Carter in New York in May of the same year. Additionally, Rama Rao emphasized the remarkable growth of IT employment in Telangana, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly a million jobs created in the sector.
Hyderabad Welcomes Warner Bros. Discovery
The event witnessed the presence of several key figures, including Warner Bros.Discovery’s CFO, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Senior Vice President of Finance, Alexandra Carter, Leader of the Hyderabad Capability Centre, Jaideep Agarwal, US Consul General in capital city, Jennifer Larson, Investment Promotions Special Secretary, Dr. Vishnuvardhan Reddy, and Chief Relations Officer, Amarnath Reddy, were also present at the event.
In a significant step towards sustainability, Transport Minister Puvvada Ajay Kumar unveiled 25 “Green Metro Luxury” air-conditioned buses at Gachibowli. These buses will serve routes from Wave Rock to Bachupally, JBS to Airport via LB Nagar, and Secunderabad to Wave Rock, starting regular service this Saturday.
The event was attended by V.C. Sajjanar and other officials. TSRTC has plans to introduce a total of 50 Green Metro Luxury AC buses, with the remaining 25 scheduled to be integrated into the fleet shortly.
Noteworthy is that these buses are eco-friendly, producing zero air pollution. They have a range of up to 225 km on a single charge and can be fully charged within 3 to 4 hours. Additionally, the buses are equipped with two security cameras in the cabin and saloon, along with one month of backup facilities.
US-India Agreements in Technology and Defense Progressing as Planned: Official:
The United States and India are steadily progressing in their efforts to enhance and expand their strategic technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation. Top US officials have reported positive developments in these initiatives involving the governments, businesses, and academic institutions of both nations.
Within the framework of the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), a roadmap for increased collaboration in high-tech sectors has been introduced. Dr. Seth Center from the Office of the Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology highlighted this collaboration.
Elizabeth Allen, the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, and Dr. Seth Center engaged with international journalists during the International Reporting Tour in Boston, Detroit, and Washington from September 6 to 16. They discussed recent US-India initiatives and their practical implications. Regarding the US-India initiative, Dr. Seth Center emphasized that National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval launched a significant endeavor. Known as iCET, this initiative underscores the need for a strategic technology partnership that aligns with their broader strategic relationship.
It identifies key technology areas for deepening collaboration, with a focus on building robust supply chains, particularly in microelectronics. Dr. Center mentioned the goal of co-developing technologies in the sectors emphasized by iCET, aimed at reducing historical frictions and promoting business cooperation. Dr. Center explained that elevating this initiative to the level of National Security Advisors was necessary to overcome various frictions, whether commercial or bureaucratic and to elevate it almost to the Presidential level.
US-India Agreements in Technology and Defense Progressing as Planned: Official
He noted that progress has been substantial since the initiative was launched in January 2023, with a detailed work plan in place. Elizabeth Allen highlighted the US’s approach to examining the opportunities and threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) from multiple angles. The goal is to formulate equitable and global solutions, ensuring that governments and individuals have choices in terms of technology usage and investments. Collaboration is a central theme, involving allies, partners, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, both public and private sectors.
The US is taking a leadership role in addressing AI’s challenges and opportunities, recognizing the need to prevent and regulate its potential harms. Despite acknowledging the risks, the US remains optimistic about the possibilities presented by emerging technology and AI.
Furthermore, the US is committed to inclusivity, bringing together a wide range of voices to discuss these issues. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will convene a high-level event at the upcoming UN General Assembly to facilitate this dialogue. A fundamental principle guiding the US approach to emerging technology and AI is the recognition that no single country can or should tackle these challenges in isolation. Collaboration involving government, civil society, advocacy groups, and tech companies is essential to navigate the future of emerging tech and AI.
CELT is planning to provide an English language course:
The Center for English Language Training at Osmania University‘s University College of Engineering is launching a new certification program focusing on English language proficiency, communication skills, and personality development. This program is designed for professionals, students, job seekers, and individuals seeking to enhance their skills.
The course, titled ‘English Communication Skills and Personality Development,’ will be conducted in person, commencing on September 25th, from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 am. The deadline for registration is September 23rd.
CELT is planning to provide an English language course
For more information and registration, please contact +91 79899 03001 or visit the website at www.uceou.edu/CELT/index.php.
ISRO Conducts Key Manoeuvre as Aditya-L1 Begins Journey Away from Earth:
Aditya L1, India’s inaugural space mission dedicated to studying the Sun, has initiated a critical maneuver, departing from Earth’s orbit since its September 2 launch. This significant Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion maneuver signifies the commencement of the spacecraft’s 110-day journey towards its destination around the L1 Lagrange point, a gravitationally stable location situated between the Earth and the Sun.
ISRO announced the successful execution of the Trans-Lagrangian Point 1 Insertion (TL1I) maneuver, propelling Aditya-L1 toward the Sun-Earth L1 point. After approximately 110 days, the spacecraft will be inserted into an orbit around L1 through a subsequent maneuver. Aditya-L1, India’s first space-based solar observatory, will observe the Sun from a halo orbit around the Sun-Earth L1 point, located about 1.5 million kilometers from Earth, which is approximately one percent of the Earth-Sun distance.
The mission aims to study the Sun’s outer atmosphere and space weather phenomena. Following its launch, Aditya-L1 underwent four Earth-bound maneuvers to gain the necessary velocity for its journey to the L1 point. Upon reaching the L1 point, another maneuver will bind Aditya-L1 to an orbit around L1.
The spacecraft will spend its mission life orbiting L1 in an irregularly shaped orbit, enabling continuous observation of the Sun without the interruption of eclipses or occultations. This unique vantage point offers valuable insights into solar activities and their impact on space weather in real time.
Aditya-L1 is equipped with seven scientific payloads developed by ISRO and national research laboratories to observe the photosphere, chromosphere, and corona of the Sun using electromagnetic, particle, and magnetic field detectors.
ISRO Conducts Key Manoeuvre as Aditya-L1 Begins Journey Away from Earth
These instruments will provide essential data for studying coronal heating, coronal mass ejections, space weather dynamics, particle and field propagation, and other solar phenomena. Lagrangian points are gravitationally stable regions in space where small objects can remain with reduced fuel consumption due to a balance between the gravitational forces of larger celestial bodies like the Earth and the Sun. The L1 point offers a unique position for continuous solar observation.
LinkedIn Sheds Light on How Indian Professionals Are Embracing AI:
New research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, reveals that generative AI innovations are driving professionals in India to adapt to new ways of working. A significant majority, 81%, believe their jobs will undergo “significant” changes in the next year due to AI. While this has caused some uncertainty, with 60% of professionals feeling overwhelmed and 39% worried about keeping up with AI developments, most are willing to embrace the shift.
Seventy-one percent express a desire to learn more about AI, even if they are unsure where to begin. Already, 68% of the workforce uses generative AI in their jobs, with 50% utilizing tools like ChatGPT. Millennials (54%) and GenZ (46%) professionals lead in ChatGPT usage.
A survey of Indian professionals also found that 66% believe they should know more about AI, possibly due to the perception that their colleagues are better informed (65%). Despite the barriers, 98% are excited to use AI at work, anticipating it will positively impact their careers (97%).
LinkedIn Sheds Light on How Indian Professionals Are Embracing AI
AI is seen as a tool to boost confidence at work, provide quicker access to knowledge, facilitate faster promotions, enhance problem-solving, and free up time from mundane tasks for more exciting work. Soft skills such as problem-solving (77%), communication (76%), and creativity (76%) are expected to become more important as AI is integrated into workplaces. Professionals see AI as a means to improve job satisfaction, work-life balance, and skill development, and they are eager to invest their freed-up time in building professional networks and acquiring new skills.
ChatGPT Diagnoses Toddler’s Chronic Pain After 17 Doctors Couldn’t Over 3 Years
In an unusual case, ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, successfully diagnosed a 4-year-old boy’s chronic pain condition in the United States after 17 doctors failed to do so over a three-year period.
The boy, Alex, began experiencing pain and severe meltdowns during the COVID-19 lockdown when he was 4 years old, which were temporarily relieved with painkillers. His condition was accompanied by symptoms such as chewing objects, stunted growth, imbalances between his left and right sides, worsening headaches, and extreme fatigue.
Despite consulting 17 different doctors, including dentists, pediatricians, and neurologists over the course of three years, none of them could provide a diagnosis for his symptoms.
Frustrated by the lack of answers, Alex’s mother, Courtney, turned to ChatGPT. She meticulously entered Alex’s medical information into the system, hoping to uncover a diagnosis. One specific detail, Alex’s inability to sit crisscross applesauce, stood out to her as potentially indicative of a structural issue.
To her surprise, ChatGPT suggested that Alex might have tethered cord syndrome, which made sense to Courtney. Seeking further validation, she joined a Facebook group for families with similar experiences, finding that their stories closely resembled Alex’s.
Eventually, a new neurosurgeon confirmed ChatGPT‘s diagnosis by examining Alex’s MRI images and identifying occult spina bifida, along with the tethered spinal cord.
ChatGPT Diagnoses Toddler’s Chronic Pain After 17 Doctors Couldn’t Over 3 Years
Tethered cord syndrome occurs when spinal cord tissue forms attachments that restrict its movement, leading to abnormal stretching. It is often associated with spina bifida, a birth defect characterized by incomplete spinal cord development and exposed nerves.
This case highlights the potential of chatbots like ChatGPT to assist healthcare providers in diagnosing medical conditions and communicating with patients effectively. Research has shown that chatbots can provide accurate diagnoses up to 72% of the time, although they still have limitations, including accuracy and potential biases.
Apple to Launch ‘Make in India’ iPhones on Global Release Day:
“Apple to Begin Sales of ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 Globally on Release Day” Reliable sources have confirmed that Apple will start selling the ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 on the first day of its global release, both within the country and for export to select international markets, according to reports on Tuesday.
These sources also revealed that India-produced iPhone 15 units will be available on the same day as the global launch, which occurred on Tuesday in the United States. Additionally, a limited number of ‘Make in India’ iPhone 15 units will be shipped to other countries shortly after the global launch.
In August, Apple’s manufacturer, Foxconn, accelerated local production of the iPhone 15 at its facility near Tamil Nadu, as part of the company’s commitment to the ‘India’ initiative. Apple intends to offer locally assembled iPhone 15 models as soon as they are launched globally next month, aiming to reduce the gap between the launch and availability while increasing exports from India to other countries.
Last year, Apple began assembling the iPhone 14 at the Foxconn facility in India in September, marking the first time in years that a new iPhone was assembled shortly after its global launch. The iPhone 15 is expected to bring significant updates, including camera system improvements across the range, with the Pro models receiving an enhanced 3-nanometer processor. Additionally, the iPhone 15 is expected to introduce USB-C charging, a first for Apple, signaling a new era for the company.
Apple to Launch ‘Make in India’ iPhones on Global Release Day-0-min
Apple’s iPhones are projected to capture 7% of the Android-dominated smartphone market in India this year, driven by local manufacturing, with previous-generation iPhones contributing to the market’s momentum.
