Daily Current Affairs from 12 August 2014

1) Actor Robin Williams dead in apparent suicide bid: Oscar Winning veteran actor Robin Williams,63, was found dead, Police has said. The apparent cause of the death was suicide, authorities said. "Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time," a statement issued by his publicists said. He was also lauded for his serious roles. Williams's performance as Sean Maguire, the therapist who counsels Matt Damon's math genius in "Good Will Hunting" (1997), earned him a best supporting actor Oscar. He was also nominated for his performances in films like "The Fisher King" (1991), "Dead Poets Society" (1989) and "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987). Born in Chicago in 1951, Williams became one of only two students accepted into John Houseman's prestigious acting program at Julliard, the other being Christopher Reeve, who became a lifelong friend.

2) Haider al-Abadi named as New Iraqi Prime Minister: Iraq's president has named Haider al-Abadi as the country's new prime minister, an appointment that came amid speculation that the embattled incumbent, Nouri al-Maliki, would cling onto power even after his country had dissolved into chaos and the United States made it clear that it would not support him as leader anymore.

3) Modi dedicates two hydro power projects in Leh and Kargil: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday laid the foundation stone for Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Transmission System in Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir besides inaugurating the Nimmo Bazgo hydel project as he promised development of the region. Modi, who is the first PM to visit Leh after the Kargil war, is dedicating to the nation  two hydel power projects in Leh and Kargil in Jammu & Kashmir. These projects are the 44 MW Chutak hydroelectric project in Kargil district and the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project in Leh district. Modi thus also laid the foundation of the first power transmission line from Leh to Kargil and Kargil to Srinagar. After Leh he will visit Kargil.

4) 3rd World Elephant Day 2014 observed: The day is dedicated towards the preservation and protection of the world’s elephants as a whole and Asian and African elephants in particular. Both the species are part of IUCN Red List of threatened species. African Elephants are in vulnerable category while Asian Elephants are considered endangered.