Current Affairs - September 21, 2017 Current Affairs

50 Countries signed the United Nations treaty to ban nuclear weapons. Brazil was the first country to sign onto the ban, followed by nations from Algeria to Venezuela. More than 120 countries approved the new nuclear weapons ban treaty in July.

The 13th edition of joint military training exercise "Yudh Abhyas-2017" has started between Indian and US armies at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington, USA on September 16, 2017. During the two week long exercise soldiers from both countries will hone their tactical skills in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations under a joint brigade headquarter. Both sides will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peace keeping operations.

The joint military exercise "Iron Union 5" will start between United States and United Arab Emirates (UAE) exercise in Abu Dhabi on September 23, 2017 to consolidate their bilateral relations and exchange training and military expertise. The purpose of the exercise is 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.

International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. This day was established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations (UN) resolution. Theme for 2017 is "Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All".

The Telangana government has made it mandatory for Aadhaar cards to be shown as identification proof by Hyderabad residents to gain entry to pubs. Those below 21 years of age will not be allowed to enter the pubs. A murder investigation of 17-year-old girl forced the excise department to implement such step.

The Union government has constituted a GST Committee on Exports headed by revenue secretary Dr Hasmukh Adhia to look into issues of export sector and to recommend suitable strategy for helping the export sector in the post-GST scenario to the GST Council. On September 19, the Adhia - headed panel is meeting in New Delhi to deliberate on the issues faced by the industry under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and holding discussion with representatives from 8 export promotion associations the difficulties faced by the exporters. Commerce Secretary Rita Teaotia is also attending the meet. The panel is mandated to recommend to the GST Council a suitable strategy for helping the export sector in the post-GST set-up.

The 5th edition of "Kaju India 2017- The Global Cashew Summit has started at Grand Hyatt Hotel in Goa from September 17,which is organised by Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI). In the 3-day summit, more than 450 delegates including 30 from foreign countries are participating in the event. The summit will bring together the entire spectrum of the Global Cashew Industry and the Expo associated with it providing excellent brand visibility and demonstrates the recent developments of the industry.

The Hyderabad team have won the 2017 Kalpathi AGS - Buchi Babu All-India Invitation cricket tournament. In the final at Chennai on September 15, they defeated TNCA President's XI by 8 wickets.

Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State for Public Grievances and Pensions, will inaugurate the first Pension Adalat in New Delhi on September 20, 2017. The Pension Adalats is being convened with the objective of bringing the aggrieved pensioner, the concerned department, the bank on a common table so that such cases can be settled within the framework of extant rules. Dr Singh will also award the pensioners for their outstanding contribution towards Anubhav- a platform for retiring employees for sharing their experience of working with government. The workshop on Pre-Retirement Counseling (PRC) of 300 retiring central government employees is also scheduled to be held. The objective of this workshop is to create awareness about the post-retirement entitlements as well as an advance planning for life after retirement.

The International Day for the preservation of the Ozone Layer is observed every year on September 16 to mark the commemoration of the date of signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 on substances that deplete the Ozone layer. The 2017 theme 'Caring for all life under the sun'. The Ozone layer is a fragile shield of gas which protects the Earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun and thus helping preserve life on the planet. Substances like Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, Carbontetrachloride are responsible for ozone layer depletion.

The nine-metre (30ft) statue of Mikhail Kalashnikov, the inventor of the AK-47 assault rifle, has been unveiled in Russian capital Moscow in a controversial ceremony. Kalashnikov designed "Avtomat Kalashnikova", which became the standard issue rifle of the Soviet army, in 1947 - hence the abbreviation AK-47.

France won the right to host the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup event, the first time the country will host the tournament. Official emblem and slogan for FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019 were unveiled at the Musee de l'Homme, Paris, France.

India has replaced China as the top retail destination in 2017, as part of the global retail development index. According to India Retail Report 2017, over the past 12-15 months, 100 percent cash and carry operations are gaining significance in India with Thailand's Siam Makro being the latest entrant in this space following Metro, Walmart and Booker.

S.S. Rajamouli has won the prestigious 2017 ANR National Award for his contribution to the Telugu film industry. The award was instituted by the Akkineni International foundation in the honor of Akkineni Nageswara Rao to recognise stalwarts in the Indian film industry.

SBI stated that the old chequebooks and IFSC (India Financial System Codes) of six subsidiary banks namely State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Raipur, State Bank of Travancore and State Bank of Hyderabad and Bharatiya Mahila Bank, will not be valid after September 30. SBI currently charges a penalty of up to Rs. 100 (plus GST of 18 percent) per month for not maintaining the minimum balance in savings bank accounts.