Daily Current Affairs for All Exams- 28th September 2016

Dear Readers, we are presenting Daily Current Affairs for All Exams- 28th September 2016.

1. India ranks 39th in 2016-17 Global Competitiveness Index
1. India has been ranked 39th among the 138 countries in the 2016-17 Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). The index was released as part of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Competitiveness Report for 2016-17.
2. Top 5 Countries: Switzerland (1st), Singapore (2nd), United States (3rd), Netherlands (4th) and Germany (5th).
3. BRICS Countries: China (28th), Russia (43rd), South Africa (47th) and Brazil (81st).

Uttam Singh to be honoured with Lata Mangeshkar Award for Lifetime Achievement
1. Veteran music director and violinist Uttam Singh on 27 September 2016 was named for the 2016 Lata Mangeshkar Award for Lifetime Achievement of the Maharashtra Government.
2. The award carries a citation, a trophy and 500000 rupees in cash.

2. US appoints Jeffrey DeLaurentis as first Cuban Ambassador in 55 years
1. The United States on 27 September 2016 appointed its first Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis to Cuba in 55. The two countries broke off relations in 1961 after the communist revolution. 2. He was appointed to the post by President Barack Obama, who said that it was a step towards a more normal and productive relationship. He said that there was no better qualified public servant. 3. But this appointment will need an approval from the Republican-led Senate, which has opposed to his dealings with the communist island.
4. The new ambassador DeLaurentis had been working at the new US embassy in Havana, which opened since 2014. He served in Havana during the transition period between the two nations which includes re-opening of embassies in Washington and Havana. This was followed by resuming travel and trade relations on a limited basis.

3. Official Emblem launched for FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017

1. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 unveiled the Official Emblem for the event. The FIFA U-17 World Cup will be India’s first international football event.

2. The FIFA U-17 World Cup India 2017 will be held in six venues across the country during October 2017.

3. The emblem of the first-ever FIFA tournament in India was designed as a celebration of the country’s richness and diversity of cultures. The logo includes elements of the Indian Ocean, the banyan tree, the kite and the starburst, which is an interpretation of the Ashoka Chakra, an integral part of the national identity. Each of the elements has been selected for its deep significance in the culture of the country.

4. Indira Gandhi International Airport becomes first in Asia-Pacific region to achieve carbon neutral status

1. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on 27 September 2016 announced that the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) has become the first airport in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve carbon neutral status. 2. DIAL is a GMR Group-led consortium which manages and operates IGI airport. 3. The announcement on the carbon neutral status was made by Airports Council International (ACI) during the Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate presentation ceremony held in Montreal, Canada. 4. The Airport Carbon Accreditation has upgraded Delhi Airport to ‘Level 3+, Neutrality’, which is the highest level of achievement available to airports across the world.

5. Shimon Peres, former Prime Minister of Israel, dies

1. Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres passed away at Ramat Gan, Israel. He was 93. Peres served twice as Israel’s Prime Minister and once as President.

6. Union Government approves name change of Gurgaon to Gurugram

1. The Union Government gave its approval to change the name of Gurgaon to Gurugram. 2. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced that the city as well as the district of Gurgaon will now onwards be known as Gurugram. 3. Also known as the Millennium City, Gurgaon is recognized both nationally and globally as an industrial, information technology, software and corporate hub.

7. 28 September: World Rabies Day

1. The World Rabies Day is observed on 28 September across the world to raise awareness about the rabies disease and its preventable measures.

2. Observance of the day seeks to raise awareness about the impact of rabies on animals and human beings. It also seeks to share information on how to prevent the disease.

3. 2016 Theme: “Rabies: Educate. Vaccinate. Eliminate”.

8. India will not attend SAARC Summit in Islamabad: MEA

1. India will not take part in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit in Islamabad (Pakistan) to be held in November 2016. This decision was taken in view of the continuous cross border terrorism by Pakistan which has created environment which is not conducive to successful holding of Summit.

2. In this regard, the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has conveyed to current SAARC Chair Nepal. Besides, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Bhutan also have conveyed their reservation about attending the Summit.

9. Jim Yong Kim re-appointed as President of World Bank for second term

1. Jim Yong Kim has been re-appointed as President of World Bank for a second five-year term beginning 1 July 2017. He was unanimously chosen by the Executive Directors of the World Bank. He was the only candidate in a process.

2. Jim Yong Kim is a South Korean-American physician and anthropologist. He is the 12th President of the World Bank and for first time was appointed in 2012.

10. India, China hold 1st high-level dialogue to combat terror

1. India and China have hold the first High Level Dialogue on Counter-terrorism and Security held in Beijing, capital city of China. 2. The meeting was co-chaired by R N Ravi, Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) and Wang Yongqing, Secretary General of Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of China.