Current Affairs Update - 19 Sept, 2014

• ·         The Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2014 was released on 17 September 2014. The census looked at the global billionaire population from July 2013 to June 2014.
• ·         The Wealth-X and UBS Billionaire Census 2014 is the only comprehensive global study on the composition and dynamics of the top-tier of the global ultra-high net worth (UHNW) population.
• ·         The United States maintained its position as the world's top billionaire country with a population of 571 billionaires in 2014.
• ·         As per the census, India retained its sixth position in terms of 100 number of billionaires possessing wealth of 175 billion US dollars in net worth. Moreover, India has more number of billionaires than Switzerland, Hong Kong and France.

• ·         Ancient Nalanda University, which once attracted students from across the world, was formally inaugurated on Friday in its modern ‘avatar’ by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Rajgir.
• ·         Hailing the occasion, Ms. Swaraj said as in the past the university would serve as ‘bridge and foundation’ in linking the country with the world through knowledge.
• ·         “It is wrong to say that today we are rejuvenating the 427 AD Nalanda University because tradition never dies ... Nalanda is not just a university but a tradition.
• ·         “Nalanda University is a link between the past, present and future,” she said at the function held at the International Conventional Centre.
• ·         Nalanda University was deeply etched in history and like in ancient times would serve as a magnet to attract students from across the globe, Ms. Swaraj said, adding during her recent visit to Bangladesh she found people there were interested in it.

• ·         With the objective of addressing sanitation related health concerns, the Urban Development Ministry and the Bill & Milinda Gates Foundation have agreed on a partnership to promote user friendly toilets to ensure universal sanitation in the country.
• ·         During a meeting with Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi, Mr. Gates enquired about the government’s sanitation initiatives.
• ·         Mr. Naidu apprised Gates about the government’s initiatives to ensure housing for all by 2022 and that ‘Swachchh Bharat Mission’ would be launched on October 2 this year, under which every household is to be enabled with toilet facility by 2019.
• ·         Mr. Naidu said that under the new housing initiative, every affordable house to be constructed in urban areas would be provided with toilet facilities. He said at present about 12 million urban households do not have toilet facilities.
• ·         Mr. Naidu said the government would like to benefit from the initiatives and experience of the Gates Foundation, since about three crore new houses are to be constructed in urban areas alone to address housing shortage, particularly for the economically weaker sections and low income groups.
• ·         He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accorded top priority to ensuring universal sanitation in the country.

• ·         Indian Air Force on 18 September 2014 gifted a vintage Dakota aircraft from its museum to Bangladesh Air Force. The Dakota aircraft was given on a formal request from Bangladesh Air Force to review and revive the historic ties between the two countries.
• ·         The aircraft was handed over to Air Marshal Muhammad Enamul Bari, Chief of Bangladesh Air Force by Air Marshal SS Soman, Air Officer Commanding in Chief (AOC-in-C), Western Air Command of Indian Air Force in a ceremony at Air Force Station Palam, New Delhi.
• ·         The Dakota aircraft played a crucial role in liberation of Bangladesh and formation of Bangladesh Air Force. The aircraft was used for air dropping Army troops in Bangladesh’s Tangail during the 1971 war. It was also used for transporting troops in Srinagar during the 1947-48 war with Pakistan for protecting Kashmir Valley
• from raiders from across the border.

• ·         World renowned Carnatic musician and a legendary Mandolin player U Srinivas passed away early in the morning today at Appolo Hospital in Chennai. The Padma Shri awardee, who is just 45 years old was admitted in the hospital due to illness. The death of the child prodigy who picked up his father
• ·         Satyanarayana's mandolin at the age of six comes as a shock to the music industry. The singers from the industry took to twitter to convey their condolence.
• ·         He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2010.

• ·         US President Barack Obama on 18 September 2014 nominated Indian-American Richard Rahul Verma as the next US Ambassador to India. The US Embassy in New Delhi is currently headed by a Charge d'affaires Kathleen Stephens.
• ·         If confirmed by the US Senate, Richard Rahul Verma will be the first Indian-American to serve the top US diplomatic position in India.

• ·         When 3.6 million Scots voted on Thursday on whether to leave or stay within the United Kingdom, they were answering one simple question: Should Scotland be an independent country?
• ·         But for a time some politicians on both sides of the debate wanted to include a third choice on the ballot: maximum devolution of powers to Scotland within Britain, or so-called devo-max. Even Alex Salmond, Scotland's first minister and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), backed including such an alternative, arguing that he was "not for limiting the choices of the Scottish people."

• ·         A statement said planes had attacked an IS depot in north-east Iraq, and there would be more raids in the coming days.
• ·         The US has carried out more than 170 air strikes against the jihadist group in Iraq since mid-August.
• ·         IS remains in control of dozens of cities and towns in Iraq and Syria, where it has declared a caliphate.

• ·         Li Na, a two-time Grand Slam champion from China who took tennis in Asia to a new level, has retired due to recurring knee injuries.
• ·         The 32-year-old Li posted the news on her microblog on Friday, ending a week of intensifying speculation that she would announce her retirement ahead of the new WTA event at Wuhan, her home town.
• ·         Li won the 2011 French Open, becoming the first player from China to win a Grand Slam singles title, and clinched the Australian Open title in January in her third trip to the final at Melbourne Park.
• ·         She only entered seven tournaments after that, and hasn’t played since a third-round defeat at Wimbledon. She withdrew from three tournaments in August, including the U.S. Open, citing a right knee injury.

• ·         The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) executive board on Friday approved Indonesia as hosts for the 2018 Asian Games which faces a growing battle to find venues because of the cost.
• ·         The continent's sports leaders had to find a quick replacement after Vietnam said in April that it could no longer afford to stage the next Asian Games.
• ·         The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) executive board on Friday approved Indonesia as hosts for the 2018 Asian Games. AFP
• ·         "Today it has been approved by the EB (executive board) that in 2018 will be the next Asian Games in Jakarta in Indonesia," said council president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

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