Introduction
Current Affairs is a type of broadcast journalism where the emphasis is on detailed analysis and discussion of news stories that have recently occurred or ongoing at the time of broadcast. The article Current Affairs September 27th 2018 includes News summary on current events of International, National, Banking, Sports, Awards, Appointments, and Science importance of September 27th 2018.
Days
World Tourism Day: 27 September
Key Highlights:
- World Tourism Day is observed every year globally on 27th September. It is a unique opportunity to raise awareness on the potential contribution of digital technologies to sustainable tourism development.
- “Tourism and the Digital Transformation” is the theme of this year’s World Tourism Day (WTD). Hungary is the host country for this year's WTD.
International
India ranks 96th; HK, Singapore retain top spot: Economic Freedom Index
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, according to a study named Economic Freedom in the World by Centre for Civil Society (CCS) along with Canada’s Fraser Institute, India stands at 96th rank out of 162 countries in economic freedom.
- The index measures 5 areas of economic freedom. They are: Size of Government, Legal System and Property Rights, Sound Money, Freedom to Trade Internationally and Regulation.
- India ranked 98th in the previous year.
- India improved its score on parameters such as legal system and property rights, access to sound money, freedom to trade internationally and regulation of credit, labour and business.
- The score however reduced in the size of government parameter.
- Among the BRICS nations, Russia and South Africa are ahead of India at 87th and 94th place and China and Brazil are behind it at 108th and 144th positions.
- Hong Kong and Singapore again topped the index ranking first and second respectively.
- Remaining countries in the top 10 were: New Zealand, Switzerland, Ireland, the US, Georgia, Mauritius, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada (tied for 10th) respectively.
- The 10 lowest-rated countries are: Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Syria, Algeria, Argentina, Libya, and lastly Venezuela.
Static GK:
- Civil Society Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founded: 1997
- Founder and President: Parth J shah
- Chairman: Luis Miranda
6. Argentina Gets Biggest Loan in IMF's History At $57 billion
Key Highlights:
- Argentina has received $57.1 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the biggest loan package ever from the global body aimed at boosting the country's struggling economy.
- The loan, $15 billion of which has already been received by Argentina, will be disbursed over the next three years. Argentina had originally secured a $50-billion loan in June this year.
India, Oman agree to boost cooperation in maritime security
Key Highlights:
- On 26th September 2018, Defence Minister of India, Nirmala Sitharaman and Minsiter of Defence Affairs, Sultanate of Oman, Sayyid Badr Saud Harib Al Busaidi agreed to improve cooperation in maritime security and defence industry engagement.
- Sayyid Badr Saud Harib Al Busaidi is on an official visit to India. He held discussions on a wide range of topics with Nirmala Sitharaman.
- They reviewed bilateral defence cooperation and discussed measures to improve bilateral exchanges and defence relationship between both the countries.
- India and Oman have decided to cooperate in coastal defence and conduct regular joint exercises by navy, air and army officials.
- Oman has opened access to Port of Duqm in Oman for military use and logistical support. It will provide maintenance to Indian Naval vessels.
- Also, Oman is the first GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) to formalize Defence ties with India from joint military exercise and cooperation in anti-piracy and security matters.
Indo-Bangla border conference held in Aizawl, Mizoram
Key Highlights:
- On 27th September 2018, a joint border conference was held between India and Bangladesh at Aizawl, Mizoram.
- Delegates from India and Bangladesh discussed the border issues between both the countries including demarcation of border between the two countries along Mizoram.
- Indian delegation was headed by Survey of India Director Sanjay Kumar. Surveyor General of Bangladesh, Brigadier General Zakir Ahmed also participated.
National
MOU to enhance bilateral cooperation in the field of defence and security: India and Morocco
Key Highlights:
- On September 25, 2018, Moroccan defence minister Mr Abdeltif Loudyi on his two day first official visit to India, met Indian Defence minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman in New Delhi.
- MOU for Cooperation in the area of 'Cyber Security’ between the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT –IN), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and the Moroccan Computer Response Team (ma-CERT).
- The Moroccan delegate also visited Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities at Bengaluru.
Alliance formed between India, United States to combat tuberculosis
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, India and United States have formed an alliance to jointly fight tuberculosis.To achieve a TB-free India by 2025.
- An alliance comprising leading experts in public and private sectors called ‘USAID-India End TB Alliance’ was formed in New York.
- Alliance members include industry and civil society leaders, academics, scientists, innovators, investors, and members of the diaspora.
- The team would offer innovative approaches to combat tuberculosis in India.
Static GK:
- US Capital: Washington D.C
- Currency: US Dollar
- President: Donald Trump
National literary and intellectual conference inaugurated by Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in Ranchi
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated a national literary and intellectual conference- “Lok Manthan 2018” at Khel Gaon in Ranchi.
- The four-day event was organised by Department of Culture of Jharkhand Government in association with a NGO.
- The event witnessed discussions on present social and cultural issues facing the country.
First Smart City Expo India-2018 inaugurated in Jaipur by Vice President
Key Highlights:
- On September 26, 2018, Vice president M. Venkaiah Naidu inaugurated three days long Smart City Expo India-2018 in Jaipur.
- Near about 6000 delegates from MNC’s of different countries , researchers , CEO’s of different Smart cities , Mayors and corporates participated in the expo.
- They had discussions related to Benefits of new technology, town planning, capacity management, challenges before socio-economic development and development of networking in the Smart City sector.
- At present 433 smart city projects worth Rs 7,958 crore have been completed in the country.
- Additionally, over 800 projects worth Rs 32,500 crore are being implemented.
- 48 out of the 100 smart city projects in India are based on the public private partnership.
Banking
RBI eased cash reserve rules to allow banks to get increased liquidity from SLR
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, Reserve Bank of India enhanced the “Facility to Avail Liquidity for Liquidity Coverage Ratio (FALLCR)” from the existing 11 per cent to 13 per cent of their deposits.
- To overcome any possible liquidity constraints by the banks. This will be effective from October 1.
- This will enable the banks to forget out up to 15 per cent of holdings under the statutory liquidity reserves (SLR) during liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) requirements as compared to 13 per cent now.
- As of September 26, banks had availed of Rs.1.88 trillion through term repos from the Reserve Bank.
ADB approved $500 mn for Tamil Nadu water supply, sewerage, drainage infrastructure project
Key Highlights:
- On September 25, 2018, Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved financing of up to $500 million for a multitranche financing facility (MFF) infrastructure project in at least 10 cities of Tamil Nadu.
- To develop climate-resilient water supply, sewerage, and drainage infrastructure.
- ADB’s financing will be provided in 3 tranches between September 2018 and March 2022.
- The first tranche of the program amounting to $169 million will target the cities of Chennai, Coimbatore, Rajapalayam, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, and Vellore.
- The Second one would be a $2 million grant from the Asian Clean Energy Fund, established by the Government of Japan, to fund the solar energy pilot project.
- ADB technical assistance grant of $1 million to support capacity building. This is a part of a project worth $766.4 million by The Government of India, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board.
- The MFF availability period is up to 30 June 2026.
- This assistance is a part of its support to the state’s Vision Tamil Nadu 2023 to provide universal access to water and sanitation and develop world-class cities in high-performing industrial corridors.
Govt increased customs duties on 19 items to bridge gap of CAD
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, the government increased customs duty on import of 19 on certain ‘non-essential’ items.
- This increase in import duty is aimed at bridging current account deficit (CAD) in order to save Indian rupee from the incessant fall.
- The changes came into effect from September 27.
- The total value of imports of these items in the year 2017-18 was about Rs 86,000 crore.
- The increased rate would enable the government to collect Rs 4,000 crore by the end of this financial year.
Sports
Madrid to host new-format Davis Cup in 2019 and 2020
Key Highlights:
- On 27th September 2018, International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced that, Madrid would host the first two new-format Davis Cup finals in 2019 and 2020.
- The new format was proposed by the Kosmos group headed by footballer Gerard Pique and was adopted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in August 2018.
- The competition will engage 18 countries at one place for a week at the end of the tennis season.
- The revamped finals will be conducted at La Caja Magica, venue for Madrid Open in 2019. The venue for the 2020 event has not yet been decided.
- The investment group Kosmos will spend $3 billionover 25 years on the revamped 118-year-old Davis Cup.
Static GK:
- International Tennis Federation President: David Haggerty
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Awards
PM Modi among 6 entities to get UN’s ‘Champions of the Earth’ award: UN
Key Highlights:
- On September 26, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with 5 other individuals and organisations are recipients of UN’s highest environmental honour: Champions of the Earth Award.
- He along with French President Emmanuel Macron have been conferred this award in the Policy Leadership category.
- Cochin International Airport has also been awarded this year under the ‘Entrepreneurial Vision’ category for its leadership in the use of sustainable energy.
Mukesh Ambani retains top spot; 214 new additions: Barclays Hurun India rich list 2018
Key Highlights:
- On September 26, 2018, Barclays Hurun India rich list 2018 was released and according to it new 214 individuals were added, whose net worth is Rs 1,000 crore or more.
- Since its inception in 2012, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani remains to be at the top of the list.
- He is now the richest Indian with net worth of Rs 371,000 crore with his wealth increasing by Rs 300 crore a day over the past year.
- With 831 members, the list has increased by a third since 2017 and almost eight times since 2012.
- The cumulative wealth of the 831 individuals featured in the list stood at $719 billion, roughly a quarter of India’s GDP of $2,848 billion.
- India as 3rd with 141 billionaires in terms of countries highest number of billionaires behind China and the US.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology announced by CSIR
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on its foundation day released the list of awardees for Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize 2018.
- Dr Thomas Pucadyil from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Pune has been awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology by CSIR.
- He was conferred with the honor for his research in the discipline of Biological Sciences on membrane biochemistry and vesicular transport.
Appointments
TRIFED & “TRIBES INDIA” presents “Punch Tantra collection” & Ms. Mary Kom as Brand Ambassador of Tribes India
Key Highlights:
- On 27th September 2018, Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs launched “Punch Tantra Diwali collection” and announced World Boxing Champion Mary Kom as Brand Ambassador of “Tribes India” in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
- The event was organised by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) and Tribes India under Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
- The Punch Tantra range of tribal arti-facts consists of handlooms and handicrafts inspired and promoted by Mary Kom.
- The collection is like the powerful punch of Mary Kom, as the name suggests. It has been specially introduced for the festive season.
- The Punch Tantra collection comprises Sarees, Stoles, Dupatas, Shawls, Kurtas/Kurtis, Lamp shades (Kandels), Sky Lanters, Diyas, Gift hampers, etc.
Science
‘Astra’ air-to-air missile successfully test fired
Key Highlights:
- On September 27, 2018, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully test fired the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from a Su-30 aircraft over the Bay of Bengal near Chandipur in Odisha.
- It has been developed by IAF and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) primarily.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited modifying the aircraft for weapon integration along with 50 other private and public industries.
- It was part of the series of final pre-induction trials and had already undergone more than twenty developmental trials.
Static GK:
- DRDO Headquarters: New Delhi
- Founded: 1958