IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF SEPTEMBER 18th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF SEPTEMBER 18th, 2017

1.  External Affairs Minister Sushma Swarajis on a visit to New York (US).

a.  During this visit, she will attend the UN General Assembly that will begin tomorrow (19th September 2017). 

b.  Swaraj and her delegation will hold around 20 bilateral and trilateral meetings with other countries' leaders. 

c.   The issues of climate change, terrorism, people-centric migration, and peacekeeping are focus areas for India.

2.  The 13th edition of Yudh Abhyas 2017, an annual bilateral military exercise between India and United States was recently took place at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington, US.

3.  The Union Ministry of Home Affairs On 18th September launched full-fledged Intelligence Wing of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB).

a.  This intelligence wing will gather actionable information in a bid to enhance operational efficiency. 

b.  It will have 650 field and staff agents to gather actionable information. 

4.  Non-resident Indians (NRIs) who harass their wives or desert them could face impoundment or cancellation of their passport, according to the recommendations of a high-level panel.

a.  Following several complaints lodged by women deserted by their NRI husbands, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) constituted this 9 member committee in May to look into various legal and regulatory challenges and suggest measures to address them.

b.  Headed of this committee : Arvind Kumar Goel (Retired Judge and Former chairman of Punjab’s state commission for NRIs)

5.  Senior IPS officer YC Modi, a 1984 batch IPS officer, has been appointed as the newDirector General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). 

6.  Search Engine giant Google On 18th September launched a mobile wallet and payments app titled 'Tez' in India.

a.  Tez will let users link their phones to their bank accounts to pay for goods in physical stores and online.

b.  Available for both Android and iOS users, the app also allows person-to-person money transfers. 

7.  The Indian government is considering a proposal to introduce its own cryptocurrency'Lakshmi' similar to Bitcoin.

a.  The proposal was discussed by a committee of government officials who found the idea of running blockchain for financial services useful. 

b.  Note : If the proposal is carried out, the cryptocurrency will fall in the domain of the RBI.

8.  Japanese postal department has released postage stamps on yoga legend Bishnu Charan Ghosh and his family members to acknowledge their contribution in spreading yoga awareness in the country.  

9.  American actor, Sterling Kelby Brown created history by becoming the first African American to win the best actor drama Emmy awards in the past 19 years, for his performance as Randall on NBC's "This Is Us". 

a.  The Handmaid’s Tale became first web television series to win award for Outstanding Drama Series. 

10.      'Father of nephrology in India', Dr KS Chugh (65) passed away On 18th September.

a.  For his pioneering study in kidney diseases, Chugh was included among the 50 legends of nephrology by the International Society of Nephrology.

11.Mercedes' British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton registered his 60th career win at the Singapore Grand Prix On 18th September. 

12.      The central government has exempted import duty on sports items and a wide range of goods for the upcoming Under-17 football World Cup India, which will run from October 6 to 28.

a.  Important Points to Note : 

b.  The first FIFA event to be held in India will be spread over six cities starting October 6 and have 52 matches. 

c.   The final football match, on October 28, will be played at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium

13.      Spain's Ana Carrasco became the first woman to win an individual World Championship motorbike race On 18th September. 

14.      2017 Korea Open Super Series Winners

a.  Men's Singles : Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (Indonesia)

b.  Women's Singles    : P. V. Sindhu (India)

c.   Men's Doubles :

                                i.    Mathias Boe (Denmark)

                               ii.    Carsten Mogensen (Denmark)

d.  Women's Doubles    :

                                i.    Huang Yaqiong (China)

                               ii.    Yu Xiaohan  (China)

e.  Mixed Doubles :

                                i.    Praveen Jordan (Indonesia)

                                                ii.      Debby Susanto (Indonesia)