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

Read the most important current affairs of 12 January 2024. Today Current Affairs covers the headlines on China Deploys ‘Einstein Probe,’ New Semiconductor Plant In Sanand, National Youth Day 2024.

Top 19 Current Affairs and News Headlines of 12 January 2024

National News

1.Prime Minister Narendra Modi Inaugurates the 27th National Youth Festival in Nashik

• Nashik, Maharashtra, recently hosted the prestigious 27th National Youth Festival from January 12 to 16, 2024. The festival, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated youthful talent and skills across the nation.
• The 27th National Youth Festival aimed to provide a platform for young people to showcase their skills and talents. It celebrated the youth power of India and the commitment to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of Indian independence.
• The festival, along with the development projects initiated, signifies a step towards empowering the youth and enhancing the nation’s infrastructure.

International News

2.US and UK Launch Airstrikes on Yemen’s Huthi Rebels Over Red Sea Attacks

• In response to the Iran-backed Huthi rebels’ escalating assaults on shipping in the Red Sea, the United States and Britain carried out airstrikes using fighter jets and Tomahawk missiles.
• The Huthis, controlling a significant part of Yemen since 2014, had intensified attacks on the crucial international sea route, triggering global concerns.
• Shipping companies diverting around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope raised alarms about potential economic repercussions. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak convened an emergency cabinet meeting, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The international community faces the challenge of managing a complex geopolitical scenario in the region.

State News

3.Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates Malkangiri Airport In Odisha

• On January 9, Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, achieved a significant milestone with the inauguration of the Malkangiri airport in the southwestern region of the state.
• This strategic initiative is designed to enhance connectivity and foster development in the tribal-dominated areas, marking a crucial step forward in the region’s progress.
• The airport features a 1620-meter long and 30-meter wide runway, making it initially capable of accommodating nine-seater aircraft, as confirmed by an official statement. With this addition, the operational airports in the state of Odisha have now reached a total of seven.

4.Simmtech To Set Up Semiconductor Plant In Sanand, Gujarat

• The semiconductor industry in India is witnessing a significant boost as Simmtech, a South Korean firm, announced its plans to set up a manufacturing plant in Sanand, Gujarat.
• With an investment of Rs 1,250 crore, Simmtech aims to contribute to the creation of a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the state.
• Simmtech, recognized as the world’s largest manufacturer of semiconductor substrates, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government for the establishment of its plant.
• The company will be situated in close proximity to Micron’s existing facility in Sanand. Simmtech has been allocated 30 acres of land, and the construction work is scheduled to commence in the next two to three months. The entire setup process is expected to take 6-7 months.

Economy News

5.India Aims to Reach $5 Trillion Economy by FY28, $30 Trillion by 2047: Finance Minister at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit

• During the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlined ambitious projections for India’s economic growth.
• Currently the world’s fifth-largest economy at USD 3.4 trillion, India aims to become the third-largest by 2027-28, reaching a GDP of over USD 5 trillion.
• The Indian economy is forecasted to grow at 7.3% in the current fiscal year, surpassing the 7.2% recorded in 2022-23. India attracted USD 919 billion in FDI over 23 years until 2023. Remarkably, 65% of this, amounting to USD 595 billion, flowed in during the past 8-9 years under the leadership of the Narendra Modi government.

Important Days News

6.National Road Safety Week From January 11 to 17

• National Road Safety Week, a crucial initiative in India, is observed annually from January 11 to 17. The 2024 observance marks the 35th year of this vital campaign.
• Aimed at raising awareness about road safety, this week-long event plays a significant role in educating citizens about responsible driving, pedestrian safety, and the need for improved road infrastructure.
• Recognizing the severity of road safety challenges, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has introduced an annual observance known as National Road Safety Month (RSM). In 2024, this month-long campaign will run from January 15 to February 14, providing an extended period for awareness and education activities.

7.National Youth Day 2024

• National Youth Day observed every year on January 12th in India, commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and recognizes his significant contributions to Indian society and the world.
• The Government of India, in 1984, declared January 12 as National Youth Day to honour Swami Vivekananda’s birthday. This day is dedicated to motivating and inspiring the youth using the life and ideas of Swami Vivekananda, aiming to foster national development.
• The theme for National Youth Day 2024 is “Viksit Yuva-Viksit Bharat.” This theme reflects a focus on youth empowerment and nation-building. It underscores the critical role of the youth in shaping a developed India, aligning with Swami Vivekananda’s vision of harnessing youth power for positive societal change.

Schemes News

8.Mulya Pravah 2.0: UGC’s New Directive for Ethical Education in India

• In a significant move to promote ethical practices in higher education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) of India has introduced Mulya Pravah 2.0.
• This new guideline comes as a response to surveys that highlighted unethical practices such as favouritism, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination within various educational organizations.
• Mulya Pravah 2.0 is an updated version of the original Mulya Pravah guideline, which the UGC introduced in 2019. The main objective of this revised guideline is to instill human values and professional ethics in higher education institutions across India. It aims to create a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency within these institutions.

9.ANUBHAV Awards Scheme, 2024

• The ANUBHAV Awards Scheme, initiated by the Department of Pension and Pensioners Welfare (DoPPW), is an innovative platform for recognizing the contributions made by retired officials to nation-building during their tenure in government service.
• Launched in 2015 under the guidance of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the scheme is a step towards documenting India’s administrative history through written narratives by retired Central Government employees.
• Retiring Central Government employees/pensioners can participate by submitting their ‘Anubhav’ write-ups 8 months before retirement and up to 1 year after their retirement. The scheme offers 05 ANUBHAV Awards and 10 Jury Certificates annually.

Ranks & Reports News

10.Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023: Indore and Surat Share Cleanest City Title

• In a prestigious ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Swachh Survekshan Awards 2023 witnessed President Droupadi Murmu conferring accolades to 13 distinguished awardees across various cleanliness categories.
• Indore, for the remarkable seventh consecutive time, secured the cleanest city title. However, this year, it shared the honors with Surat, marking a unique joint victory. The President, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, presented the awards at the Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
• Here are other winners:

  Category	Top Performers
  Cities (Pop. under 1 Lakh)	1. Sasvad 2. Patan 3. Lonavala
  Cleanest Cantonment Board	Mhow Cantonment Board, Madhya Pradesh
  Cleanest Ganga Towns	1. Varanasi 2. Prayagraj
  Best Performing States	1. Maharashtra 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Chhattisgarh
  Safaimitra Surakshit Sheher Award	Chandigarh

11.Global Economic Resilience Amid Dark Outlook: World Bank Report

• The World Bank reveals a surprising resilience in the global economy, though shadows loom over the future, anticipating a third consecutive year of slowdown in 2024.
• After a robust rebound to 6.2% in 2021, global growth waned to 3.0% in 2022 and further to 2.6% in 2023. Projections indicate a continued deceleration to 2.4% in 2024 before a modest recovery to 2.7% in 2025, notably below the 3.1% average of the 2010s.
• The report underscores India’s post-pandemic recovery, emphasizing maintained robustness in investment, though private consumption is expected to ease due to diminishing pent-up demand and inflation constraints.

Agreements News

12.Rural Ministry Partners With SBI For SHG Loans

• In a significant move towards fostering rural development and financial inclusion, the Rural Development Ministry and the State Bank of India (SBI) have joined hands through a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
• The primary objective of this collaboration is to streamline and facilitate enterprise financing for rural self-help groups (SHGs), as announced in an official statement.
• The MoU, a pivotal step towards rural economic empowerment, was formally signed by Mr. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana, Additional Secretary – National Rural Livelihoods Mission, and Mr. Shantanu Pendsey, Chief General Manager at the Corporate office of State Bank of India in Mumbai.

Appointments News

13.Rear Admiral Upal Kundu Takes Charge As Chief Of Staff, Southern Naval Command

• Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, an esteemed alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy, has recently taken over as the Chief of Staff at the Southern Naval Command (SNC). This seasoned naval officer brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in anti-submarine warfare (ASW).
• The Admiral’s illustrious career includes commanding several key naval vessels. Among them, he steered the guided missile frigate INS Trikand and the missile corvette INS Kuthar with distinction.
• In addition to his accomplishments at sea, Rear Admiral Upal Kundu demonstrated his managerial acumen in ashore commands. His stewardship at INS Tanaji and INS Kadamba showcased his ability to efficiently oversee naval operations from land-based positions.

14.Sheel Vardhan Singh Assumes Role As UPSC Member

• In a significant development, Sheel Vardhan Singh, the former Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), has been appointed as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• During his tenure as the Director General of CISF from November 2021 to December 2023, Singh played a pivotal role in providing visionary leadership that significantly enhanced security measures across the vital industrial sector.
• Following Singh’s appointment, there are still three vacancies for members in the UPSC, paving the way for potential future appointments. This underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure a diverse and experienced panel of individuals to oversee the crucial task of selecting top-tier civil servants.

Books & Authors News

15.Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav launched a book titled ‘Modi: Energising a Green Future’

• Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, heading the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has recently unveiled an insightful book titled “Modi: Energising A Green Future”.
• This book, a significant addition to environmental literature, is published by Pentagon Press in collaboration with the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.
• The central theme of the book revolves around Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision and actions for a sustainable and eco-friendly future. It delves deep into the strategies and policies under PM Modi’s leadership that have placed India at the forefront of the global environmental movement.

Sports News

16.Unveiling the Essence of the 9th Asian Winter Games: Slogan, Emblem, and Mascots

• The 9th Asian Winter Games, set to illuminate the winter sports landscape in 2025, have officially entered an exciting phase with the unveiling of its core symbols – the slogan, emblem, and mascots.
• Embracing the spirit of unity and sportsmanship, the official slogan “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia” resonates deeply with the ethos of the Games. This slogan encapsulates the aspirations and passion for winter sports among Asian countries, highlighting the essence of dreams, love, and camaraderie that the Games aim to foster.
• The heart and soul of the Games are personified in its mascots, “Binbin” and “Nini”, two charming Siberian tiger cubs. Inspired by actual tiger cubs born in the Heilongjiang Siberian Tiger Park, these mascots embody the vitality and spirit of the Games.

17.Aman Sherawat Secures 57kg Gold In 2024 Zagreb Open singles

• India’s young wrestling sensation, Aman Sehrawat, set the stage on fire at the Zagreb Open 2024 by winning a gold medal in the 57 kg category of the men’s singles event.
• The 20-year-old wrestler demonstrated his prowess by defeating China’s Zou Wanhao 10-0 in the final, securing victory by technical superiority. This impressive win marked a stellar beginning for Sehrawat in the year 2024.
• Sehrawat, currently ranked 13th in the world, showcased his dominance over his Chinese counterpart right from the initial moments of the final match. With precision and skill, he left no room for error and concluded the fight with a resounding victory, leaving a minute and eight seconds on the clock.

18.Rhythm Sangwan Clinches 16th Olympic Quota For 2024 Paris Games

• In a remarkable feat at the Asian Shooting Championships 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Rhythm Sangwan secured a bronze medal in the women’s 25m pistol event, obtaining a Paris 2024 Olympic quota for India.
• This accomplishment marked India’s 16th shooting quota for the upcoming Olympics, surpassing the previous record tally of 15 set for the Tokyo 2020 Games.
• During the intense 25m pistol final, Rhythm Sangwan showcased her skills, scoring 28 out of 45 to claim the bronze. The gold and silver medals were secured by Jiin Yang and Yeji Kim from the Republic of Korea, who shot 41/50 and 32/50, respectively.

Science & Technology News

19.China Deploys ‘Einstein Probe,’ A Lotus-Shaped Satellite, To Monitor Cosmic Turbulence

• China has recently sent a groundbreaking astronomical satellite named Einstein Probe (EP) into space on a mission to observe mysterious transient phenomena in the universe.
• The satellite, shaped like a lotus in full bloom, employs innovative X-ray detection technology inspired by the functioning of a lobster eye. Launched from the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, this mission marks a significant step in unraveling the secrets of the cosmos.
• The Einstein Probe, weighing approximately 1.45 tonnes and resembling a full-size SUV, boasts a distinctive lotus shape. Its design includes 12 petals and two stamens, with each petal housing wide-field X-ray telescopes (WXT) and each stamen containing follow-up X-ray telescopes (FXT).

12 JANUARY CURRENT AFFAIRS 2024 | ALL EXAMS IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS | ASHISH GAUTAM SIR

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