Daily Current Affairs 12th August 2024, Important News Headlines (Daily GK Update)

National News

Implementation of RTE and Budget Allocation for Education

As of August 7, 2024, Punjab, Telangana, Kerala, and West Bengal have yet to implement the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009. Union Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chowdhary, disclosed this in the Rajya Sabha. Education is on the concurrent list, giving states the authority to create rules under the RTE Act, but these states have not yet done so.

SAMEER Transfers Microwave Sugar Measurement Tech to Private Firms

The Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering & Research (SAMEER), an R&D institute under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has signed a Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement with Toshniwal Hyvac Pvt. Ltd. and Sir Automation Industries. This agreement will facilitate the large-scale manufacturing of a state-of-the-art Microwave-Based Brix Measurement System, designed to measure sugar concentration (Brix) in real-time during sugar production.

India Advances Nuclear Submarine Capabilities

India is on the brink of commissioning its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, INS Arighat, and has received approval to construct six additional nuclear submarines to enhance its maritime defence. The Indian Navy is preparing to commission INS Arighat, its second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), which is nearing the completion of its trials and upgrades.

Government Restores Diamond Imprest Licence for Gems and Jewellery Sector

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has announced the restoration of the Diamond Imprest Licence, a move aimed at revitalizing India’s gems and jewellery sector. The decision was made during the India International Jewellery Show (IIJS) 2024, organized by the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC). This policy shift is expected to address issues related to diamond imports and enhance India’s export competitiveness.

International News

India-New Zealand Sign Bilateral Customs Cooperation Agreement

India and New Zealand have signed a Bilateral Customs Cooperation Arrangement to facilitate easier trade between the two nations. The agreement was formalized in Wellington on 8 August 2024 during President Droupadi Murmu’s official visit to New Zealand.

Business News

UPI Merchant Transactions In Nepal Cross 100000 Milestone

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL) has achieved a major milestone by surpassing 100,000 cross-border Unified Payments Interface (UPI) Person-to-Merchant (P2M) transactions in Nepal, the NIPL said in a statement. NIPL is an international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

Appointments News

T.V. Somanathan Appointed as New Cabinet Secretary

Senior IAS Officer T.V. Somanathan has been appointed as the new Cabinet Secretary of India, succeeding Rajiv Gauba, whose term ends this month. Somanathan will begin his two-year tenure on August 30, 2024. He will also serve as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the Cabinet Secretariat until he formally assumes the role of Cabinet Secretary.

Awards News

“King Khan” Receives Lifetime Award At Locarno Film Festival

Bollywood’s charismatic ‘King Khan’, graced the 77th Locarno Film Festival with his presence on August 10, receiving a career achievement award that further gilds his storied career. Shah Rukh delivered his acceptance speech to a rapt audience of 8,000 at Locarno’s famed Piazza Grande.

Books and Authors News

Book Launch Spotlight: ’75 Great Revolutionaries of India’

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh attended the launch of ’75 Great Revolutionaries of India,’ a book by MP Bhim Singh. Singh praised the work for highlighting lesser-known freedom fighters. The book aims to inspire a developed India by recognizing historical sacrifices.

Agreements News

MEA and NSIL Sign MoU for Launch of Nepalese Munal Satellite

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the launch of Nepal’s Munal satellite. The MoU was formalized on Saturday, with Anurag Srivastava, Joint Secretary (North) from MEA, and Arunachalam A, Director from NSIL, representing their respective organizations.

Defence News

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024: Strengthening Indo-Malaysian Air Force Cooperation

The bilateral air exercise “Udara Shakti 2024” between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) concluded successfully on August 9, 2024. This exercise, hosted by the RMAF at its base in Kuantan, Malaysia, marked a significant milestone in military cooperation between the two nations.

Obituaries Days

Former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki Passes Away After Battle With Cancer

Susan Wojcicki, a pioneering figure in the tech industry and former CEO of YouTube, has passed away at the age of 56 following a two-year battle with cancer. The news of her death was confirmed by her husband, Dennis Troper, on August 9. Susan Diane Wojcicki was an American business executive who was the chief executive officer of YouTube from 2014 to 2023. Her net worth was estimated at $765 million in 2022.

Former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh Passes Away

Former External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh passed away at 95, due to a prolonged illness on August 10. He took his last breath at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram near Delhi, where he was admitted for the past couple of weeks.

Important Days

World Biofuel Day 2024: Advancing Sustainable Energy Solutions

World Biofuel Day, observed annually on August 10th, commemorates the groundbreaking achievement of German engineer Sir Rudolf Diesel, who successfully operated an engine using peanut oil on August 9, 1893. This day serves as a global platform to highlight the significance of biofuels as a sustainable energy source and their potential in addressing climate change and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

International Youth Day 2024, Date, Theme and History

International Youth Day, observed annually on August 12th, is a global celebration that recognizes the contributions of young people to society and addresses the challenges they face. The day serves as a platform to raise awareness about socio-economic and socio-political issues affecting youth worldwide. The 2024 theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” highlights the crucial role of digital technologies in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Miscellaneous News

Neelakurinji: The Endangered Purple Bloom of the Western Ghats

The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a remarkable flowering shrub native to the montane grasslands of southwest India, has recently been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This iconic plant, known for its mass blooming once every 12 years, has been classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN criteria.