SIPVS Knowledge is Power
- Nasa launches mission to ‘touch the Sun’
US space agency Nasa has launched its mission to send a satellite closer to the Sun than any before.
- The Parker Solar Probe rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- The probe is set to become the fastest-moving manmade object in history. Its data promises to crack longstanding mysteries about the Sun’s behaviour.
- It is the first space craft to be named after a living person – astrophysicist Eugene Parker, 91, who first described solar wind in 1958.
- International Youth Day: 12 August
International Youth Day (IYD) is an awareness day designated by the United Nations and celebrated every year on 12 August.
- The purpose of the day is to draw attention to a given set of cultural and legal issues surrounding youth.
- The first IYD was observed on 12 August, 2000.
- The Theme for International Youth Day 2018 is “Safe space for Youth”.
- Environment Ministry Celebrates World Elephant Day
Strongly emphasizing the need to address the root cause behind the man-animal conflict, Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Mr. Suresh Prabhu pointed out that the man-animal conflict is an existential crisis not for the animals, but for human beings.
- Addressing a gathering to celebrate World Elephant Day on 12 August at Indira Gandhi Centre for National Arts, Mr. Prabhu said that there is an urgent need to explain this existential crisis to the human population.
- He underlined the fact that protection of wilderness and forests is a must to protect any wildlife species.
- ‘Sarabhai Centenary’ programmes begin
The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh disclosed that Jammu will be the first city in North India to get a full-fledged Space Technology Research Centre, devoted to research, academics and post-graduation study.
- The Centre will function under the aegis of the Central University Jammu.
- In addition to Jammu, the other town selected for opening a Space Technology Research Centre is in the Northeast in Tripura, where it would function under the aegis of National Institute of Technology (NIT) Agartala.
- This was disclosed on the occasion of the beginning of year-long “Sarabhai Centenary” programmes of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), that is, the 99th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the first Chairman of ISRO and the founding father of India’s Space Programme.
- Blockchain: Exim Bank signs MoU with BRICS development banks
Exim Bank of India has signed a multilateral cooperation agreement with member development banks of BRICS to undertake “collaborative research” in distributed ledger/blockchain technology.
- The MoU was an outcome of the discussions the member development banks had during their annual meeting.
- The BRICS grouping comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
- Amazon inks MoU with UP govt to boost MSME entrepreneurs
E-commerce major Amazon India has signed an MoU with the Uttar Pradesh government to support MSME entrepreneurs across nine districts as a part of the state’s One District One Product (ODOP) scheme.
- Amazon India through its Kala Haat programme will help traditional industries.
- Under the programme, a wide range of benefits will be offered to 300 MSME sellers registered under UP government’s ODOP scheme.
- Justice M R Shah sworn in as Chief Justice of Patna HC
Justice Mukesh R Shah was t sworn in as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court in Patna.
- Bihar Governor Satya Pal Malik administered the oath of office to Justice Shah at the Raj Bhavan.
- Justice Shah was a judge of the Gujarat High Court before his appointment as the Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
- Gerard Pique announces retirement from Spain national team
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has confirmed that he is stepping down from international football following a disappointing World Cup for Spain.
- Pique has accumulated 102 caps for his national team.
- Among the centre-back’s international honours are the 2010 World Cup and a Euro 2012 winner’s medal.
- Nobel Laurate VS Naipaul passes away
Nobel Laureate writer VS Naipaul has passed away on August 11 at the age of 85.
- He was a Trinidadian by birth, an Indian by descent and in terms of citizenship he was British.
- Some of his notable books are A House for Mr Biswas, Guerrillas, The Middle Passage etc.
