18 September 2017 Current Affairs
Google launches mobile wallet and payments app ‘Tez’ in India
Google launched a mobile wallet and payments app ‘Tez’ in India that will let users link their phones to their bank accounts to pay for goods in physical stores and online. It is available for both Android and iOS users, the app also allows person-to-person money transfers. Google linking up with several major banks in the country by way of UPI (Unified Payments Interface) a payment standard and system backed by the government in its push to bring more integrated banking services into a very fragmented market.
Russia and Iraq Restore Air Travel after 13-Year Freeze
Russia and Iraq restored commercial airline services for the first time since 2004, with an Iraqi Airways plane leaving for Moscow from Baghdad. Russia suspended flights to Iraq after the 2003 US-led invasion pushed the Arab country into war. It is a signal on the part of the Iraqi authorities that Russian nationals can safely visit Iraq.
Lewis Hamilton won Singapore Grand Prix
Mercedes’ British Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton registered his 60th career won at the Singapore Grand Prix. He defeated Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel score and reached the top of the table with 28 points. Daniel Ricciardo won the second place in the race.
Railways cuts down Sleeping Hours for passengers
According to a circular issued by the railway board, the passengers in the reserved coaches can only sleep between 10 pm and 6 am to allow others to sit in the seats for the rest of the time. Until the circular was issued, the existing permissible time for sleeping was between 9 pm and 6 am. The new provision replaces paragraph 652 in the Indian Railways Commercial Manual, Volume I. This provision is applicable to all reserved coaches with sleeping accommodation.
Iron Union 5: US and UAE Joint Military Exercise
The US and UAE’s ground forces had begun a joint military exercise in Abu Dhabi, as part of efforts to consolidate their bilateral relations and exchange training and military expertise. Code-named Iron Union 5, the drill is an extension of a series of Iron Claw exercises. The exercise aims to upgrade and boost the readiness of the UAE’s armed forces and to allow both armies to promote their international co-operation in joint military operations.
Infosys Senior VP Sanjay Rajagopalan Quits
Infosys Senior Vice President Sanjay Rajagopalan has resigned from his post. The decision has come a month after Vishal Sikka stepped down as the company’s MD and CEO. He was employed with Infosys from August 2014 to September 2017.
69th Primetime Emmy Awards announced
The 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards was announced at the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S. The Handmaid’s Tale became the first web telivision series to win the award for Outstanding Drama Series. Westworld and Saturday Night Live were the most nominated programs, each with 22 nominations.
Complete list of the winners:
- Outstanding Comedy Series: Veep
- Outstanding Drama Series: The Handmaid’s Tale
- Outstanding Variety Talk Series: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
- Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: Saturday Night Live
- Outstanding Limited Series: Big Little Lies
- Outstanding Television Movie: Black Mirror: “”San Junipero””
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Donald Glover as Earnest “”Earn”” Marks on Atlanta
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer on Veep
- Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Sterling K. Brown as Randall Pearson on This Is Us
- Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Elisabeth Moss as June Osborne/ Offred on The Handmaid’s Tale
- Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Atlanta (Episode: “”B.A.N.””), Directed by Donald Glover
- Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series: The Handmaid’s Tale (Episode: “”Offred””), Directed by Reed Morano
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Master of None (Episode: “”Thanksgiving””), Written by Aziz Ansari and Lena Waithe
President’s Medal for Former DIG D Roopa
Former DIG D Roopa, who highlighted in a report alleged irregularities at the central jail in Karnataka, including preferential treatment to AIADMK leader V K Sasikala, was conferred the President’s Medal. The award was presented to Roopa for her meritorious service by Governor Vajubhai Vala at a ceremony at Raj Bhavan in the presence of Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
Y C Modi appointed as Director General of National Investigation Agency
Senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Y C Modi was appointed the new Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA). The order regarding the appointment was issued by the Union Ministry for Home Affairs. Modi will replace Sharad Kumar, who is will retire on 30 October 2017. Modi is an IPS officer of the 1979 batch of the Haryana cadre. He had also been part of a Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) that probed 2002 Gujarat riots case. He has also served as the Additional Director General of Police in Shillong, and Additional Director in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Peruvian President appoints Mercedes Araoz Fernandez as New PM
The President of Peru, Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has appointed a former Economy Minister Mercedes Araoz Fernandez as new Prime Minister of Peru. Mercedes Araoz, who is also a lawmaker and one of Peru’s two Vice Presidents, is the new Chief Minister in a reconstituted Cabinet. She served as an economy minister during part of the 2006-11 administration of President Alan Garcia. Araoz replaced Fernando Zavala, who lost the vote of confidence by lawmakers on 15 September 2017.