Daily Current Affairs and GK | 11 June 2024

Topic: National News

1. ICDK Water Challenge 4.0 has been presented by the Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog.

• Atal Innovation Mission and NITI Aayog (AIM) announced the launch of ‘AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0’ and the fifth edition of the ‘Innovations for You’ handbook, spotlighting SDG entrepreneurs of India.
• The Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India, AIM, presents the fourth edition of the open innovation water challenge.
• The selected teams will form the Indian cohort that will participate in the global Next Generation Digital Action program.
• Participants from selected teams can look forward to participating in a hybrid innovation journey including group work, boot camp sessions, keynote addresses, and individual mentoring.
• The program encourages the exploration of sustainability, digital solutions, inclusion, and universal design principles.
• The challenge invites entries under two categories: One for students and the other for young entrepreneurs, both under the age of 35.
• The call for applications opened on June 10, 2024, with the deadline set at June 20, 2024.

Topic: Sports

2. Carlos Alcaraz won the 2024 French Open men's singles title.

• Carlos Alcaraz defeated Alexander Zverev by 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 in the 2024 French Open men's singles final at the Stade Roland Garros.
• He won his third Grand Slam and first French Open title. Alcaraz is a 21-year-old from Spain.
• He also became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam across three different surfaces.
• Carlos Alcaraz remains unbeaten in the Grand Slam finals.
• Iga Swiatek won the 2024 French Open women’s singles title. It was also the fourth Roland Garros title for her.
• Iga Swiatek defeated Jasmine Paolini in two sets in the final to win her third consecutive French Open title.
• French Open was held at the Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France, from May 26 to June 9, 2024.
• 2024 French Open Winners:

Topic: International News

3. Israel and Hamas will be added by UN to the global list of perpetrators of harm against children.

• In the coming week, the UN Secretary-General will tell the Security Council that both Israel and Hamas are violating children's rights and endangering them in their war to destroy each other.
• Each year, the Secretary-General compiles a global list of countries and militias that threaten and intimidate children.
• The list ranges from Myanmar’s Kachin Independence Army to Russia during its war with Ukraine last year.
• Antonio Guterres sends the list to the Security Council and the Council then decides whether to take action.
• The United States is one of five permanent council members with veto power and has been reluctant to take action against its longtime ally Israel.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

4. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the government will provide assistance for the construction of 3 crore rural and urban houses.

• On 10 June, it was announced in the first cabinet meeting of the newly formed NDA government in New Delhi.
• The Government of India has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) since the year 2015-16.
• Its objective is to provide assistance to eligible rural and urban families in building houses equipped with basic amenities.
• Under the housing schemes under PMAY, a total of 4.21 crore houses have been constructed for eligible poor families during the last 10 years.
• All the houses constructed under PMAY are provided with other basic amenities like household toilet, LPG connection, electricity connections, active household tap connection etc. by merging with other schemes of Central Government and State Governments.

Topic: Sports

5. Pooja Tomar created history by becoming the first Indian to win in UFC.

• By defeating Brazil's Rayanne dos Santos, Pooja Tomar created history by becoming the first Indian to win a fight in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) at UFC Louisville 2024.
• Pooja, a resident of Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, had set a new record in 2023 by becoming the first Indian woman to get a UFC contract.
• In her first debut fight in the women's strawweight division, she won via split decision with scores of 30–27, 27–30, and 29–28.
• India has a long tradition of women excelling in combat sports, and since 2013 the UFC has been a platform for women to shine.

Topic: Important Days

6. International Day of Play 2024: 11 June

• On June 11, 2024, the first International Day of Play celebrated.
• It marks an important milestone in efforts to preserve, promote and prioritise sport so that all people, especially children, can reap its benefits and reach their full potential.
• June 11 has been declared by the United Nations as the "International Day of Play."
• This day will be celebrated as the right to play for all children below the age of 18 years.
• Playful interactions contribute to the wellbeing and positive mental health of parents, caregivers and children.
• In India, the Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj has decided to organize sports activities for all children at Gram Panchayat Awareness Centres, as a part of International Sports Day.
• Various activities will be organised at these centres on a monthly basis under the ‘Light of Reading’ programme.

Topic: National Appointments

7. Portfolios have been declared for the new Union Council of Ministers.

• Union Minister Rajnath Singh continues to be Defence Minister and Mr Amit Shah continues as Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation.
• Nirmala Sitharaman has been retained as the Finance Minister and Dr S Jaishankar will continue to be the External Affairs Minister.
• Nitin Gadkari continues to head the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
• Piyush Goyal has been again given the responsibility of Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Dharmendra Pradhan has been again given the responsibility of Education Minister.
• J P Nadda will be the new Health and Chemical and Fertilizers Minister.
• Former Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the new Agriculture and Rural Development Minister.
• Ashwini Vaishnaw will continue to hold the charge of the Rail Ministry. He will also be the new Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

Topic: Summits/Conferences/Meetings

8. India took part in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting in Russia.

• The meeting started on 10 June 2024 in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
• The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Dammu Ravi, Secretary (Economic Relations) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
• This is the first meeting of foreign ministers since the expansion of BRICS in 2023.
• BRICS now has 10 members, including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• New members Egypt, Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia joined the BRICS in 2023.
• Russia took over the chairmanship of BRICS on January 1, 2024.

Topic: State News/ Rajasthan

9. Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit is being developed by the Rajasthan government.

• Rajasthan Government is developing Maharana Pratap Tourist Circuit at Rs 100 crore.
• Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said this while inaugurating the Maharana Pratap Jayanti celebrations.
• Maharana Pratap is a source of inspiration not only for Rajasthan and India but for the whole world.
• The places in Rajasthan related to Maharana Pratap are:
  • Maharana Pratap Smarak: It is located near Fateh Sagar Lake in Udaipur.
  • Kumbhalgarh Fort: It is located 84 km north of Udaipur. It is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap.
  • Haldighati: It is famous for the Battle of Haldighati, where Maharana Pratap led the Rajput resistance against the Mughal Empire.
  • Pratap Gaurav Kendra: It is located at Tiger Hill in Udaipur city, Rajasthan, and provides detailed information about Maharana Pratap.

Topic: New Development

10. Omega-3 therapy reduced brain damage in newborn rodents.

• As per a new study, an injectable emulsion containing two omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil reduces brain damage in newborn rodents.
• Researchers conducted this study at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
• This treatment is beneficial for about 15% of patients but can cause heart and respiratory complications.
• Brain damage in newborn rodents occurs due to inadequate oxygen flow to the brain.  
• The animals treated with the new therapy showed normal motor coordination and reflexes, which indicate neurological function.
• It is a serious complication during delivery that affects one to three out of every 1,000 live newborns in the US.
• The omega-3 diglyceride emulsion prevents brain cells from dying and preserves neurologic function.
• The researchers will begin clinical trials in newborns within two years and plan to expand studies on the therapy’s effectiveness in preventing damage to the central nervous system in animals.

Topic: Defence

11. First woman helicopter pilot was appointed in the Indian Navy.

• Sub Lieutenant Anamika B. Rajeev became the first woman helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy during the Passing Out Parade held at Naval Air Station INS Rajali in Arakkonam of Ranipet district.
• The prestigious "Golden Wings" were given to 21 officers by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.
• On 7 June, a Passing Out Parade was organized to mark the graduation of the 102nd Helicopter Conversion Course.
• The trainees underwent an intensive 22-week training programme comprising rigorous flying and ground training at Indian Naval Air Squadron 561.
• 849 pilots from the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and friendly foreign countries have received training from the Helicopter Training School in Arakkonam.

Topic: Sports

12. On 9 June, Magnus Carlsen won the Norway Chess 2024 tournament with 17.5 points.

• Magnus Carlsen defeated Fabiano Caruana with 17.5 points with white pieces in Armageddon.
• Hikaru Nakamura finished second with 15.5 points, while Chennai's Praggnanandhaa was third with 14.5 points.
• On the other hand, in the women's category of Norway Chess, Ju Wenjun won the title with 19 points, while Anna Muzychuk finished second, three points behind her.
• The annual chess tournament, Norway Chess usually held in the period from May to June each year.
• The inaugural edition took place from May 7 to May 18 in the Stavanger region of Norway.

Topic: National Appointments

13. Prem Singh Tamang has taken the oath of Sikkim CM for the second term.

• Sikkim Krantikari Morcha supremo Prem Singh Tamang took the oath of Chief Minister of Sikkim.
• Governor Lakshman Acharya administered the oath of office and secrecy to Tamang and his Council of Ministers.
• The swearing-in ceremony was held at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok.
• The council of ministers in Sikkim has a strength of 12 members, including the chief minister.
• Sikkim Krantikari Morcha has won 31 of the 32 assembly seats in the polls.
• The opposition Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) that ruled for 25 years has won only one seat.
• The Chief Minister is the elected head of the State Government. He acts as the link between the governor and the Council of Ministers.
• Article 163 states that there shall be a Council of Ministers headed by a Chief Minister to aid and advise the Governor.
• The Chief Minister has the real executive powers in the State.

Topic: State News/ Haryana

14. Special NRI cell will be set up by the Haryana government.

• During the Videsh Sampark Programme, Haryana chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal said that Haryana will set up Non-Resident Indian (NRI) cells to address the grievances of Haryana’s natives living abroad.
• It will also help in safeguarding the interests of Haryana’s people in foreign countries.
• Videsh Sampark Programme was organized to enhance engagement with the diaspora and partnerships with state governments.
• The state government is also organizing seminars in universities and colleges to provide information to youth about higher education and employment opportunities overseas.