Today's Current Affairs 12th March 2024

INTERNATIONAL

Asif Ali Zardari Sworn in as Pakistan’s 14th President

• Asif Ali Zardari took oath as Pakistan’s 14th President following his overwhelming victory in the presidential election.
• Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa administered the oath at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the Presidential Palace.
• Zardari succeeded Dr. Arif Alvi.
• This marks Zardari’s second term as President, making him the first civilian to hold the position twice in Pakistan’s history. 

NATIONAL

Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Announces Non-Implementation of CAA

• Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, announced that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), whose rules were notified by the Union Home Ministry on March 11, will not be implemented in the state.
• The decision comes amid growing concerns that the CAA goes against minorities and Sri Lankan Tamils living in camps in Tamil Nadu.
• The CAA, passed by the Parliament in 2019. 

Andaman & Nicobar Command’s Historic All-Women Maritime Surveillance Mission

• Coinciding with International Women’s Day and the 40th anniversary of INAS 318, the Andaman & Nicobar Command achieved a significant milestone by conducting its first-ever all-women maritime surveillance mission. 

Tamil Nadu Launches ‘Neengal Nalama’ Scheme to Review Implementation of Welfare Programs

• Tamil Nadu government has launched the ‘Neengal Nalama’ (Are you fine?) scheme, a beneficiary outreach program aimed at reviewing the implementation of flagship schemes and addressing the grievances of the public.
• Under the ‘Neengal Nalama’ scheme, people will be directly contacted by the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, Department Heads, Department Secretaries, and District Collectors.

About Tamil Nadu:

Chief Minister: M. K. Stalin;

Capital: Chennai;

Governor: R. N. Ravi. 

SPORTS

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sutherland Named ICC Players of the Month for February 2024

• Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young Indian opener, has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for February 2024.
• Annabel Sutherland of Australia claimed the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for February 2024. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

DRDO Successfully Tests Agni-5 Missile with MIRV Technology, Mission Divyastra

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the maiden flight test of the locally developed Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle (MIRV) technology.
• The test, codenamed “Mission Divyastra” (divine weapon.)

About DRDO:

Founded: 1958;

Headquarters: DRDO Bhavan, New Delhi;

Agency executive: Sameer V. Kamat, Chairman, DRDO. 

APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Nayab Singh Saini to Succeed Manohar Lal Khattar as Haryana’s New Chief Minister

• Nayab Singh Saini, an influential leader from the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community, has been appointed as the new Chief Minister of Haryana.

About Haryana:

Capital: Chandigarh

Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya 

Kishor Makwana Assumes Charge as Chairman of National Commission for Scheduled Castes

• Kishor Makwana has assumed the charge of Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) in New Delhi. Shri Luv Kush Kumar has also taken charge as a Member of the NCSC.
• National Commission for Scheduled Castes was founded in 19 February 2004. 

AS Rajeev Appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission

• AS Rajeev was appointed as Vigilance Commissioner in the Central Vigilance Commission by the Honourable President of India on 9th February 2024.
• He took the oath as Vigilance Commissioner on 11th March 2024 before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who was authorized by the President of India under the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.
• Central Vigilance Commission was founded in February 1964;
• Central Vigilance Commission HQ is located in New Delhi. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITION

Delhi Airport Clinches ACI-ASQ’s Best Airport in Asia-Pacific Title for 6th Straight Year

• Delhi Airport has once again asserted its dominance in the aviation sector by securing the prestigious title of ‘Best Airport’ in the Asia-Pacific region for the sixth consecutive year.
• The Airport Service Quality (ASQ) Best Airport award for 2023 was conferred upon Delhi Airport in the category of over 40 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA) by the Airports Council International (ACI).