Morning Current Affairs: 15 January 2017

70th Armed Forces Day observed

The 70th Army Day was observed across the nation on 14 January 2018. On the occasion, Chief of Army staff General Bipin Rawat reviewed the parade at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi Cantonment and presented the gallantry awards.

The day is celebrated annually to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Carriappa took over the command of Army from General FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 to become the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Armed Forces post Independence. Carriappa retired from service on 14 January 1953.

The Indian Army would be celebrating the year 2018 as the ‘Year of Disabled Soldier in the Line of Duty'.

India, UK sign MoU on illegal migrants' return

India signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the United Kingdom on 11 January 2018 for the return of Indians, who have been residing in Britain as illegal migrants, and sharing of criminal records and intelligence.

The pacts were signed by UK's Minister of Immigration Caroline Nokes and India's Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju who was on a visit to London. The move reflects increased co-operation between the two countries, which already enjoy a close relationship.

The MoU on criminal records exchange is expected to lead to the sharing of criminal records, fingerprints and intelligence between the British and Indian law enforcement bodies. 

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf expelled from her party

Liberia's ruling party, Unity Party has expelled outgoing President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for not backing Vice-president Joseph Boakai, the candidate the party had chosen to succeed her.

Joseph Boakai lost to former footballer George Weah in the presidential elections that were held in December 2017. Sirleaf, who is a Nobel Peace Prize winner and Africa's first elected woman president, was seen campaigning with Weah, who was running under the Coalition for Democratic Change banner.

The 79-year-old President will formally hand over the power to Weah on 22 January 2018, after serving for two six-year terms.

India beat Pakistan to win Blind Cricket World Cup

India on 14 January 2018 beat arch-rivals Pakistan by seven wickets in the final of the Blind Cricket World Cup that was held in Dubai.

Pakistan, who were sent in to bat first put up a total of 282 for eight wickets in the stipulated 40 overs. India, the defending champions comfortably chased down the target in 34.5 overs. While Deepak Malik from Haryana was the top-scoring batsman with an unbeaten 79 off 71 balls, Venkatesh with 64 runs and skipper Ajay Reddy with 47 runs shared a total of 106 runs for the fourth wicket.