Latest Current Affairs – September 10 & 11 2018
1. Nepal to take part in military exercise with China
Nepal will take part in a 12-day-long military exercise with China later this month, Nepalese Army spokesperson Brigadier General Gokul Bhandaree said. The ‘Sagarmatha Friendship-2’ exercise will take place in China’s Chengdu city. This comes after Nepal withdrew from the first-ever Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) military drill in India.
2. India, Afghanistan, Iran hold first-ever trilateral meeting
India, Afghanistan and Iran held the first-ever trilateral meeting at the Deputy Foreign Minister level in Kabul. The meeting focused on consolidating economic cooperation, including the Chabahar Port, as well as enhancing cooperation on counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and continuing support for the Afghan-led peace and reconciliation process, a joint statement read.
3. Jhulan first player to pick 300 int’l wickets in women’s cricket
Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami became the first bowler in women’s cricket to pick 300 international wickets after reaching the landmark figure in India’s nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka. In addition to Jhulan’s record, Mithali Raj went past England’s Charlotte Edwards (117) as the most-capped captain in women’s ODIs with her 118th appearance.
4. UN Security Council holds first-ever meeting on corruption
The UN Security Council (UNSC) held its first-ever meeting on corruption and its linkages to global conflicts. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that corruption is linked to illicit trafficking of arms, drugs and people as well as terrorism. Citing the World Economic Forum’s estimates, he added that corruption costs at least $2.6 trillion or 5% of global GDP.
5. SpiceJet 1st Indian airline to start dedicated cargo service
SpiceJet will start a dedicated air cargo service under the SpiceXpress brand from September 18. SpiceJet, which would be the first scheduled airline to start dedicated air cargo services in India, has inducted a Boeing 737-700 plane as the first freighter aircraft. The company said air cargo traffic in India is expected to grow 60% over the next five years.
6. Iraq replaces Saudi as India’s largest oil supplier: Report
Ahead of US sanctions on Iranian oil, Iraq has replaced Saudi Arabia as India’s largest oil supplier in August, according to Reuters. Despite the lower purchases, Iran remained the third biggest oil supplier to India during the month. The US is reimposing sanctions on Iran following its decision in May to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal.
7. Russia holds biggest military exercise since Cold War
Russia began its biggest military exercise since the Cold War, involving around 3 lakh troops, 36,000 vehicles and over 1,000 aircraft. The ‘Vostok-2018’ exercise, being held in eastern Siberia, will last for five days. China will send 3,200 troops and 30 aircraft to take part in the exercise as part of an effort to deepen military cooperation.
8. Health Ministry implements HIV AIDS Act 2017
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced implementation of the HIV and AIDS (Prevention and Control) Act, 2017. The act criminalises any kind of discrimination against people suffering from AIDS in terms of treatment, employment and workplace. Those violating the act could be jailed for up to two years or fined up to ₹1 lakh or both.
9. Air-to-air refuelling of Tejas aircraft done at 20,000 feet
The mid-air refuelling of ‘wet contact’ trial for Tejas aircraft was conducted successfully by Indian Air Force at an altitude of 20,000 feet. During the process, 1,900 kg fuel was transferred. “The Air-to-Air refuelling capability is a ‘force multiplier’ for IAF, giving the aircraft the potential to stay airborne for much longer periods of time,” tweeted Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
10. Novak Djokovic wins US Open to clinch his 14th Grand Slam title
Former world number one Novak Djokovic defeated world number three Juan Martín del Potro 6-3, 7-6(7-4), 6-3 to clinch his third US Open title and overall 14th Grand Slam title. With this, Djokovic equalled Pete Sampras’ haul of 14 Grand Slams. Further, he became the seventh man to win US Open singles title at least thrice in the Open Era.
11. Alibaba Co-founder Jack Ma to step down as chairman on 55th birthday
Chinese billionaire and Alibaba Co-founder Jack Ma today announced he will step down as the company’s Executive Chairman on his 55th birthday on September 10, 2019. Ma will be succeeded by current CEO Daniel Zhang. However, Ma will remain on Alibaba’s board of directors until the company’s annual general meeting in 2020.
12. PM Modi announces 100% hike in compensation for ASHA workers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a landmark increase in remuneration for ASHA and Anganwadi workers. The announcement which will be effective from next month was made during a video bridge interaction with lakhs of ASHA, Anganwadi and ANM workers. The Prime Minister announced the doubling of routine incentives given by the Union Government to ASHA workers. In addition, all ASHA workers and their helperswould be provided free insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana.
13. Triple jumper Arpinder becomes first Indian to win medal in IAAF Continental Cup
Triple jumper Arpinder Singh created history by becoming the first Indian to win a medal in the IAAF Continental Cup as he clinched a bronze but star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra finished sixth with a below-par show here.
Arpinder, who had won a gold in the Asian Games in Jakarta, cleared a modest 16.59m in the first of his three jumps to be in the four-man semifinals. He could only clear a 16.33m jump in his next attempt to miss out on the two-man final jump. Nonetheless, he collected a bronze.
14. India Blue defeated India Red and won 57th Duleep Trophy
India Blue thrashed defending champion India Red by an innings and 187 runs in the final to win the Duleep Trophy at NPR College ground. Spinners Deepak Jagbir Hooda (5 for 56) and Saurabh Kumar (5 for 51) needed just 10.5 overs on the fourth day to bundle out India Red for 172 in the second innings.
15. Sarala Puraskar award for Poet Satrughna Pandav
Eminent novelist of India, Sri Govind Mishra will be the Chief Guest of the Sarala Award function. He has been chosen for this honor for his poetry collection ‘Misra Dhrupad’. This award consists of a cash award of Rs. 5,00,000/- along with a citation.
Pandit Umesh Chandra Karto be awarded ‘ Ila Panda Sangeet Samman’ in the field of music and art. Sri Binod Moharanawill receive ‘Ila Panda Chitrakala Samman’ award.
16. Jamie Murray and Bethanie Mattek won mixed doubles US Open 2018 title
Britian’s Jamie Murray and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands captured the U.S. Open mixed doubles title with a 2-6 6-3 11-9 victory over Croatia’s Nikola Mektic and Poland’s Alicja Rosolska. Mattek-Sands has also won mixed doubles Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open and French Open. Murray had three other Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.
17. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to Cover Child Cancer Treatment
The child cancer will be treated under the Ayushman Bharat scheme and the rate in this regard is fixed. According to the announcement made, 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres will be opened across India by 2022 under the scheme.
The centres will provide comprehensive health care for diseases like diabetes, cancer, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
