Daily Current Affairs- 13 June 2024

Daily Current Affairs- 13th June 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Russia and Belarus begin second stage of tactical nuclear weapons drills

• Russia and Belarus have commenced the second stage of joint drills focused on tactical nuclear weapons, aimed at bolstering readiness and deterring Western support for Ukraine. These exercises, initiated by Moscow in response to perceived provocations from Western officials, underline the Kremlin’s strategic stance amid heightened tensions.
• The drills, announced last month by Russia’s Defence Ministry, are a direct response to what Russian authorities describe as provocative actions and statements from the United States and its European allies. The first phase concentrated on nuclear mission preparation and deployment logistics, while the current exercises involve training in the use of non-strategic nuclear weapons in combat scenarios. 

NATIONAL

Assam Govt. launches scheme to promote Girl education & end Child marriage

• The Assam government has announced a new scheme Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM) to promote girl education and to end child marriage in the state. This was announced by the Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 12 June 2024 after the Assam government cabinet approved the scheme.
• The Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina scheme aims to empower the girls of the state by promoting education amongst them with financial incentive and support from the state government. An empowered girl will also help in reducing the incidence of child marriage in the state. 

APPOINTMENS & RESIGNATIONS

Cellular Operators' Association Of India Appoints Abhijit Kishore As New Chairperson and more

• The Cellular Operators' Association of India (COAI), the leading industry body for telecom, Internet, technology and digital services companies, announced its new leadership for the 2024-25 term, effective from June 2024. Abhijit Kishore, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vodafone Idea (VI), has been appointed as the Chairman of COAI while Rahul Vatts, Chief Regulatory Officer (CRO) of Bharti Airtel, will serve as the Vice Chairman of COAI. 

NHRC member Sayani appointed its acting chairperson

• With the former Supreme Court judge Arun Mishra demitting office as chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission after a three-year stint, the Centre has appointed Vijaya Bharathi Sayani as acting chairperson.
• Nine months after he retired from the SC, Justice Mishra was appointed as the eighth chairperson of the human rights body in June 2021. The post of NHRC chairperson had been vacant for nearly seven months before Justice Mishra was appointed. In 2019, Parliament had amended the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to revise the eligibility criteria for the post of chairperson of NHRC and state. 

Jyoti Vij takes charge as FICCI director general

• Jyoti Vij has been appointed as the director general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), She will take charge of the FICCI secretariat with immediate effect.
• Vij graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce in 1988 and later received her master’s in business economics from the University of Delhi in 1990. Later in 1993, she joined the industry body and has served it in various capacities. 

Pema Khandu Sworn In as Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh

• Pema Khandu, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Arunachal Pradesh, has sworn in as the chief minister of the state for the third consecutive term.
• Chowna Mein took oath as the Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday for his second consecutive term. 

Prem Prabhakar Appointed MD and CEO of SBICAP Ventures Limited

• SBICAP Ventures Limited (SVL) has appointed Prem Prabhakar as the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective 4th June 2024. In his new role, Prabhakar will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, operational efficiency and overall growth of the company. He will lead the executive team, manage investor relations, and drive initiatives that align with SVL's commitment to creating long-term value for its investors and supporting the communities in which it operates. 

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Albinism Awareness Day: UN

• Every year June 13 is observed as International Albinism Awareness Day around the world. Albinism is a rare genetic condition in which the skin, hair, and eyes lack pigmentation (melanin), making them vulnerable to the sun and bright light.
• On December 18, 2014, the United Nations proclaimed June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day, starting from 2015. This declaration was a response to the hardships faced by people with albinism, including social exclusion and human rights violations.
• 2024 marks a decade since the launch of International Albinism Awareness Day. To mark this occasion, this year’s theme is: “10 years of IAAD: A decade of collective progress”. 

The UN declares 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology

• The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. The 193-member United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to this effect on 7 June 2024.
• The United Nations can declare one or more themes as the focus of an International Year in order to promote, through awareness and action, the objectives of the theme. Earlier, the United Nations had declared 2025 as the
• International Year of Cooperatives,
• International Year of Peace and Trust and
• International Year of Glacier’s Preservation. 

BANKING AND ECONOMY

SBI launches 'SME Digital Business Loans', to sanction loans in 45 minutes

• The country’s largest lender, State Bank of India (SBI), has floated ‘SME Digital Business Loans’ with the aim of sanctioning loans in 45 minutes.
• SBI identified the micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) line of business as the focal point for the bank’s growth and profitability over the next five years.
• This innovative product marks a significant leap forward in digitalization by offering SMEs a digital loan journey with an end-to-end sanction turnaround time of up to 45 minutes.