K P Sharma Oli becomes Nepal PM for the Second Time
Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has appointed CPN-UML chairperson K P Sharma Oli (65-year) as the Prime Minister (41st) after his Left alliance routed the ruling Nepali Congress in the country's parliamentary and local polls.
Earlier, Mr. Oli had served as the country's prime minister from October 11, 2015, to August 3, 2016.
The Left alliance of the CPN-UML secured 174 seats in the 275-member Parliament in the historic provincial and parliamentary polls.
It had also secured an overwhelming majority in the upper house of Parliament with 39 out of the 59 seats.
Jacob Zuma resigns as South Africa's President
South Africa's embattled President Jacob Zuma (75-year) has announced his resignation due to names in several scandals.
Jacob Zuma served as the fourth President of South Africa from the 2009 general election.
The country's Parliament could elect Deputy President Mr. Ramaphosa as the President.
Note: The President is the head of government and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Republic of South Africa.
National Affairs
BHEL bags order worth Rs 560 crore from NTPC
The Central Public-Sector Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), based in Tiruchirapalli, Tamilnadu has bagged a major order worth Rs. 560 crores from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) National Capital Power Station in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh.
The order involves the installation of an indigenously developed Flue Gas Desulphurization system in the NTPC station.
The system is aimed at controlling various harmful emissions, as per the more stringent emission norms declared by the Union Ministry for Environment.
This is the 13th order for desulphurization unit being executed by the BHEL, as part of the Make in India programme and the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions scheme to reduce carbon footprint.
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani arrives in India for three-day visit
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in Hyderabad on a three-day visit to India.
Mr. Rouhani will visit the Makkah Masjid and interact with the Iranian community in Hyderabad.
Dr. Rouhani will meet President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu during his stay in the national capital.
Leaders will review the progress achieved in bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Government extends anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years
The Union Govt. has extended the anti-narcotics scheme for 3 more years to combat illicit trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance.
It will be provided to all the anti-narcotics agencies for strengthening their enforcement capabilities to combat illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
The assistance for narcotics control has been extended, with an estimated budget of 21 crore rupees.
The most common drugs of abuse are ganja, hashish, opium, and heroin.
Note: The scheme was first launched on 24th October 2004 for a period of five years and later extended twice in subsequent years.
Banking & Finance
Punjab National Bank detects USD 1.77 bn fraud
The Punjab National Bank (PNB) has detected a USD 1.77 billion scam in one of its branches in Mumbai for the benefit of a few select account holders with their apparent connivance.
Nirav Modi (billionaire jeweler) allegedly acquired fraudulent letters of undertaking from one of its branches for overseas credit from other Indian lenders.
The finance ministry has taken proactive steps by asking the lender to report the matter to CBI and Enforcement Directorate so that action can be taken quickly.
This could be the biggest banking fraud in India as its quantum was bigger than an estimated 9,000 crore scam at erstwhile Satyam Computers.
Honours & Awards
India’s Umang app wins best M-Govt service award
India’s Umang App has won the best M-Government Service Award in the Accessible Government category at World Govt Summit 2018 in Dubai.
The world’s largest biometric-enabled identification programme ‘Aadhaar’ won the best emerging technology award.
The mobile application provides users a unified platform that combines government departments and services, facilitating transactions for citizens.
Aadhaar provides access to service income tax, passport services, bank accounts, social services benefits aimed at providing 1.2 billion citizens unique identification card with fingerprint, eye-print and other vital data.
The Summit acknowledged technology pioneers for providing global solutions to global challenges.
Sports
Tamil Nadu wins Senior Women's National Football Championship
Tamil Nadu has won the Senior Women's National Football Championship for the first time at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Tamil Nadu defeated Manipur, 2-1.
Skipper Indumathi has adjudged the player of the final as well as the tournament for her superlative performances.
Yuki Bhambri becomes the first Indian to reach quarters in Chennai Open ATP Challenger
Yuki Bhambri has become the first Indian to reach the quarter-finals of the Chennai Open ATP Challenger tournament.
He defeated compatriot Sidharth Rawat, 6-2, 6-3.
Bhambri will meet Yasutaka Uchiyama of Japan for a place in the semi-finals,
