Current Affairs September 8, 2017

Dear Readers'

INTERNATIONAL

1. Mongolian Cabinet Has to Resign

Mongolian lawmakers have voted to dismiss the Prime Minister and his Cabinet for alleged incompetence and corruption related to the signing of government contracts with companies linked to three Cabinet members.

• A majority of lawmakers from the ruling Mongolian People's Party joined members of the opposition to pass the motion demanding that Prime Minister Jargaltulga Erdenebat and his 14-month-old Cabinet resign over the granting of contracts worth 328 million US Dollars.
• The MPP controls 65 seats in the 76 member Great Hural, with the opposition Democratic Party and independents sharing the remainder. Out of 73 lawmakers present during the voting, 33 from the MPP and nine opposition and independent lawmakers voted for the dismissal.
• Parliament is expected appoint a new Cabinet and Prime Minister in 45 days, and the current officials will continue serving in the interim.

2. September 8: International Literacy Day

International Literacy Day is observed on 8th September every year to emphasize the importance of literacy to individuals, society and communities.

• The theme of this year's International Literacy Day, is ‘Literacy in a Digital World’.
• A special two-day event will be organized at UNESCO’s Headquarters in Paris, with an overall aim to look at what kind of literacy skills people need to navigate increasingly in the digitally-mediated societies.
• In India, the National Literacy Mission Authority has planned several functions at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi would including felicitation to dignitaries and conferring of the Saakshar Bharat Awards. The National Literacy Mission was initiated by the government on 5th May 1988 with the objective of eradicating illiteracy.
• In 1951, when first Census was conducted after Independence, the literacy rate of country was merely 18 per cent. However, in the last Census held in 2011, the country has achieved a literacy rate of around 73 per cent.

3. Hurricane ‘Irma’ Moving Towards Florida

After causing havoc in many Caribbean islands including Haiti, Hurricane Irma is all set to move towards Florida and expected to reach there within two days.

• With winds of around 290 km per hour, the storm has smashed through several small islands in the northeast Caribbean including Barbuda, Saint Martin, and the British and US Virgin Islands, ripping down trees and flattening homes and hospitals.
• It is a storm of extremely dangerous Category 5.

4. Indo-US Exercise “YudhAbhyas 2017”

A joint military exercise between India and the USA, “Yudh Abhyas-2017” will be held in Washington, USA from 14 to 27 September 2017.

• ‘YudhAbhyas’ is one of the largest joint military training and defense corporation endeavors between India and USA.
• This will be the 13th edition of the joint exercise hosted alternately between the two countries.

NATIONAL

5. Myanmar Visit of the PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Myanmar's capital Naypyidaw on September 6-7 and met Myanmar President Htin Kyaw. They discussed the issue of rising violence in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine.

• PM Modi also pushed for greater progress on Indian infrastructure projects.
• Keeping his promise of 'Act East' policy, it was PM Modi's first bilateral visit to Myanmar where he cemented ties, especially with China strengthening its influence on the country.
• PM Modi met Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and visited the heritage city of Bagan and a Hindu temple.

6. Narmada Mahotsav Started in Gujarat

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani flagged off statewide ‘Narmada Mahotsav Yatra’ from Surendranagar district. The aim of this Narmada Mahotsav Yatra - is to create awareness about the importance of increased water supply from Narmada canal-based projects todifferent parts of the state.

• The 10 days long Narmada Mahotsav Yatra has also been flagged off in other districts, which will end at Dabhoi- in Narmada district where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the gathering.

SPORTS

7. India Tops in ICC Test Rankings

India continues to be at the top in the latest ICC Test rankings released in Duba.

• India Topped the rank with 125 points after sweeping the Sri Lanka Test series by 3-0.
• Australia slipped by one rank to fifth after drawing the Test series against Bangladesh by 1- 1.
• South Africa is placed second at 110 points while England is third with 105 points.

8. Commonwealth Weightlifting Championships 2019 in India

India will host the 2019 edition of the Commonwealth (Youth, Junior and Senior) Weightlifting Championships.

• The current edition of the Championship is being held at the Gold Coast, Australia.

APPOINTMENTS 

9. N. Baijendra Kumar Takes Charge as NMDC CMD

N Baijendra Kumar, 1985 batch IAS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, has assumed charge as Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC Ltd.

• Prior to joining NMDC, he was holding the post of Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, Chhattisgarh.

BUSINESS

10. Habib Bank to Wind Up From USA

US banking regulators ordered Pakistan's Habib Bank to shut its New York office on the issue of not heeding concerns over possible terrorist financing and money laundering.

• Habib Bank, Pakistan's largest private bank facilitated billions of dollars of transactions with Saudi private bank, Al Rajhi Bank, which reportedly has links to al Qaeda and failed to do enough to ensure that the funds were not laundered or used for terrorism.
• A fine of 225 million Dollars is also imposed on the bank.