Daily Current Affairs - 10th September 2014

1. German ambassador Michael Steiner took up the 'Rice Bucket Challenge', donating rice to more than 300 families residing in a slum here, days after Indian netizens came up with this desi version of ALS ice-bucket challenge. Around 392 families residing in Vivekanand Camp in Chanakyapuri area here queued up to receive a bucket filled with five kilograms of rice each. 

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was for years barred from visiting the United States, will meet President Barack Obama at the White House on September 29 and 30, US officials said. 

3. The UN General Assembly has decided to carry forward talks on Security Council reforms to the next session, with India expressing dismay that the draft decision was no different from the one adopted a year ago and hoping that there will be a "clear roadmap" on the issue in the upcoming session. 

4. Larsen and Toubro has acquired 50 percent of the stake in L&T-Ramboll Consulting Engineers (LTR) hitherto held by Ramboll Denmark AS. With this acquisition, LTR now becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of L&T.

5. Completing its over a-year-long probe into the Saradha scam, the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has submitted its final investigation report to the government, which may soon start prosecution proceedings for numerous serious violations found during investigations.

6. Croatia’s Marin Cilic swept past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 to win the U.S. Open on Monday and reach the pinnacle of the sport one year after a doping ban kept him out of the year’s final grand slam. The big-serving Croatian overwhelmed a weary Nishikori in one hour, 54 minutes to clinch a ruthless victory and deny his 10th-seeded opponent’s bid to become the first Asian man to win a grand slam. 

7. Serena Williams allowed herself a moment to savor a third straight US Open win on Sunday, but only a moment. Just three hours after securing her 18th Grand Slam title with a dominating 6-3, 6-3 win over Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, the World No.1 soaked up the accolades and applause and then admitted that she was already thinking about No.19 and third spot on the all-time list now held by Helen Wills Moody. 

8. The Government has approved the Indian contingent for the Asian Games-2014. Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Youth Affairs & Sports took the decision regarding the Indian contingent in consultation with the Prime Minister. The total number of participants shall be 679 including 516 athletes and 163 Coaches and Support Staff. 

9. Minister for Civil Aviation, Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati launched here today a’ Know Your Rights’ (KYR) portal of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in the presence of Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Shri G M Siddeshwara and other dignitaries to mark 100 days of the new government. 

10. India has formally signed the Trade in Services & Trade in Investments Agreement with ASEAN. The Services Agreement will open up opportunities of movement of both manpower and investments from either side between India and ASEAN. Nine out of ten ASEAN countries have signed the same. Philippines is completing its domestic procedure and it is expected to sign soon. It may be mentioned that India-ASEAN Agreement on Trade in Goods was signed in 2009 and became effective from 2010.