Current Affairs forms a very important part of preparatory syllabus of competitive examinations. In a competition over 8 questions are asked from top news headlines from past 3-6 months. We are here with current affairs 20th September 2018
NATIONAL
The Union Cabinet has approved an ordinance making triple talaq a punishable offence. The Supreme Court had in a verdict in August last year declared it illegal and unconstitutional.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina jointly launched the construction of India-Bangladesh Friendship Product Pipeline Project through video conferencing. The project will go a long way in strengthening the Indo-Bangla ties.
The Union Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba launched an online ‘e-Sahaj’ portal for grant of Security Clearance. The portal will facilitate an applicant to submit application online and also to view the status of his application from time to time.
A Loan Agreement for IBRD Credit of US$74 million equivalent for the Uttrakhand Workforce Development Project (UKWDP) was signed between India and the World Bank
The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the Foundation Stone for several important development projects, at a public gathering in Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
INTERNATIONAL
India and Sri Lanka signed an MoU for construction of a 5000-metric ton temperature controlled warehouse in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. The warehouse will be constructed with an Indian grant assistance of 30 crore Sri Lankan rupees
Germany has rolled out the world’s first hydrogen-powered train, signalling the start of a push to challenge the might of polluting diesel trains with costlier but more eco-friendly technology
Bangladesh’s Cabinet has approved a draft agreement with India to enable New Delhi to use the Chittagong and Mongla ports for the movement of goods to and from northeast India.
APPOINTMENTS
Tajinder Mukherjee has taken over as the Chairman and Managing Director of National Insurance Company Limited (NICL)
Varun Dhawan, Anushka Sharma Signed As Ambassadors of Skill India Campaign
AWARDS
Chairman and MD, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., Dr Raghupati Singhania has been conferred with ‘Mexican Order of the Aztec Eagle’, the highest honour accorded to non-nationals by the Government of Mexico
BANKING & ECONOMY
Markets regulator SEBI approved a slew of proposals, including a revised framework for the settlement of cases and new KYC norms for foreign portfolio investors
The government has incorporated provision of penalties for States and Insurance Companies for the delay in settlement of insurance claims under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
The Board of Directors of Vodafone Idea Limited, India’s largest telecom operator, approved the merger of the Vodafone Idea Limited with the Aditya Birla Telecom Limited (ABTL), the parent company of Idea Cellular. The merger was approved under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013
SPORTS
The Asian Paralympic Committee (APC) confirmed that Hangzhou in China will host the fourth edition of Asian Para Games in 2022
Lewis Hamilton won the Singapore Grand Prix at Marina Bay Street Circuit, in Singapore. Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton won the 1st position. He was followed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the 2nd spot
OBITUARY
India’s first woman IAS officer after Independence, Anna Rajam Malhotra, who served in the Madras State under then Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari and at the Central government, died in Mumbai