CURRENT AFFAIRS SEPTEMBER 3 ENGLISH

1.  8 US made Apache attack helicopters inducted into IAF to enhance combat capabilities

United States-made Apache AH-64E attack helicopters were inducted into the Indian Air Force, at the Pathankot Air Force station.

• The addition of the Apache fleet will bring in lethal firepower with great accuracy and significantly enhance the IAF's combat capabilities.
• The AH-64E Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters.
• The IAF had signed a multi-billion dollar contract with the US Government and Boeing Ltd in September 2015 for purchase of 22 Apache helicopters.

2.  Bangladesh signs agreement with Reliance Power of India to set up the gas-based plant in Meghnahat

Government of Bangladesh signed an agreement with Reliance Power of India to set up 750 Mega Watt gas-based power plant in Meghnahat near Dhaka.

• The construction of the plant will be completed by 2022.
• A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed with Petro Bangla to set up 500 Million standard cubic feet per day LNG terminal at Kutubdia Island near Chittagong in Bangladesh.

3.  UNCCD COP14 begins in Greater Noida

The 14th Conference of Parties, COP14 to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification began at Greater Noida.

• As India assumed COP presidency for two years, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar expressed optimism towards restoring land ecology and environment.
• The COP14 is to discuss various issues of land such as sustainable land management, reversing land degradation, mitigating drought, halting desertification, addressing sand and dust storms.

4.  Western Odisha districts celebrating Agrarian festival 'Nuakhai'

The much-awaited day, Nuakahi, for the people of western Odisha districts came with much pomp and gaiety.

• The major agrarian festival of this region is being celebrated in every nook and corner collectively with much fanfare and religious fervour.
• People offer the newly harvested crop called Nabanha to their respective presiding deities.

5.  Haryana govt announces about Rs 5,000 cr interest, penalty waiver on crop loans

The BJP-led Haryana Government has announced a 4,750 crore rupees waiver on interest and penalty on crop loans.

• This will benefit around 10 lakh farmers of the state.
• The farmers whose bank accounts were declared Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) by these banks and were unable to renew their loans will now be able to do so.
• The five per cent penalty imposed on farmers who failed to repay loans taken from PACS will now be completely waived.

6.  Varun Dhawan's 'Coolie No.1' first Bollywood film set to go plastic-free

Bollywood has taken lead to promote India’s plastic-free movement with Varun Dhawan's upcoming movie "Coolie No. 1" becoming the first Bollywood film to go plastic-free.

• The movie’s producer Deepshikha Deshmukh announced that the movie is going plastic-free and urged her peers to do the same.
• This comes days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day speech, urged people to shun single-use plastic and encouraged usage of jute and cloth bags to protect the environment.

7.  PM Modi to be honoured by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for Swachch Bharat Abhiyan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be honoured with the prestigious 'Global Goalkeeper Award' by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his leadership and commitment to the Swachch Bharat Abhiyaan.

• Modi will be honoured for his leadership of the Swachch Bharat Mission, which he had launched on October 2, 2014.
• The ambitious mission aims at accelerating the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage in the country by this year as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 150th birth anniversary.
• The annual awards, in five categories, are presented to leaders and individuals for their efforts in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

8.  Kohli surpassed Dhoni to become India's most successful Test skipper

Virat Kohli has surpassed Mahendra Singh Dhoni to become India's most successful Test skipper.

• It came after the Indian team recorded its 28th win under Kohli's leadership in the second and final test against the West Indies at Kingston.
• The 28 wins have come from 48 matches for Kohli as captain.
• His predecessor Dhoni led India to 27 wins from 60 Test matches during his tenure.
• Sourav Ganguly with 21 wins and Mohammad Azharuddin with 14 wins are third and fourth in the list of successful Indian Test skippers.
• Overall, former South Africa skipper Graeme Smith remains the most successful skipper in the world with 53 Test wins.

9.  India finishes ISSF World Cup Shooting Championship at the top

India finished at the top of the ISSF World Cup Rifle/Pistol Championship in Rio De Janeiro with 5 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.

• Indian pair of Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Choudhary of India defeated their compatriot rivals Yashaswini Deswai and Abhishek Verma in the summit clash of 10-Metre Air Pistol mixed team event.
• India has now finished as the leading nation in the ISSF Senior World Cup events in 2019 with 16 gold, 4 silver and 2 Bronze medals.
• Earlier, World number one Apurvi Chandela, partnered with Deepak Kumar to win India their fourth gold medal in 10-Metre mixed team air rifle event.