Daily Current Affairs :9th September 2014 1) Croatia’s Marin Čilić won the U.S. Open men’s singles title on 8 September 2014 to become the newest winner of this coveted Grand Slam title. With this title win he also became the second Grand Slam singles title winner from his country. Who was the first-ever Grand Slam singles title winner from Croatia? –Goran Ivanisevic Explanation : Goran Ivanisevic became the first-ever Grand Slam singles title winner from Croatia when he won Wimbledon men’s singles title in 2001. He is now the coach of Marin Čilić who defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3 6-3 6-3 in under two hours in the finals. Kei Nishikori had earlier created history after he became first Asian male player to make it to the final of a Grand Slam after he defeated Serbian Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. …………………………………………………………………………….. 2) Which state recorded the fastest growth rate among Indian states during 2013-14 as disclosed the newly released data by the Central Statistical Office (CSO)? – Madhya Pradesh Explanation: Madhya Pradesh outpaced all the major states to top the economic growth charts. According to CSO data, Madhya Pradesh’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) registered a double-digit growth of 11.08% at constant prices, up from 9.9% in 2012-13. Uttarakhand (9.9%) was second while Bihar (8.82%), which had been topping the growth charts in the last few years, was relegated to the third spot. What is noteworthy is that high growth in Madhya Pradesh has happened despite the state’s industrial growth slipping to a new low during the year. Led by largely an agricultural boost and expansion by the services sector, Madhya Pradesh claimed the first spot. …………………………………………………………………………….. 3) Which public-sector bank during September 2014 sought permission of the RBI to launch contact-less debit cards which would enable customers to carry out some transactions without entering the pin number? – SBI Explanation: Right now, for any card which has to be used, a customer has to put in the pin number. Many banks feel that some exception has to be made as for lower amount deals like buying a Metro or bus ticket, where the customer can simply show the card and get in. Hence the SBI has requested the RBI to come up with a limit below which the pin will be waived. It has requested a limit of Rs. 2,000 for the same. The bank is currently doing a test-run of such contact- less cards at the Chennai and Mumbai metro stations. …………………………………………………………………………….. 4) State Bank of India (SBI) on 8 September 2014 launched its first multi-currency international debit card to allow consumers to use a single card to pay in multiple currencies. This card launched in a tie-up with MasterCard would, at present, enable customers to load how many international currencies in this card? – Four Explanation: These 4 currencies include US dollar, euro, Great Britain pound and Singapore dollar. More currencies will be added going forward as the card has the facility to be loaded up to 12 currencies. …………………………………………………………………………….. 5) During September 2014 India a free trade agreement (FTA) in the area of services and investments with which association of countries? – ASEAN Explanation: The FTA was signed with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enable freer movement of professionals and further open up opportunities for investments. This FTA thus concluded 2-year old discussion between ASEAN on this issue. India had implemented the FTA in goods with ASEAN members in 2010, while it had concluded the negotiations for FTA in services and investments in 2012. With the signing of the pact in services and investments, the FTA will now become a comprehensive economic partnership between the two sides. ASEAN presently comprises of Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia. …………………………………………………………………………….. 6) Serena Williams won the U.S. Open women’s singles title when she defeated Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark by 6-3, 6-3 in the finals on 7 September 2014. This title was her …………..grand slam title? – 18th Explanation: With her 18th Grand Slam title win Serena Williams now stands alongside Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, and four behind Steffi Graf as major winners in the Open era. But she is still trailing Helen Wills Moody (19) and Margaret Court (24) in the history of the game. …………………………………………………………………………….. 7) Which doubles duo created history by claiming their 100th doubles title after they won the U.S. Open men’s doubles title on 7 September 2014? – Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan Explanation: Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of the United States are brothers and have held the world no.1 doubles ranking jointly for 380 weeks (as on 8 September 2014), which is longer than anyone else in doubles history. They defeated 11th-seeded Spaniards Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-3, 6-4 in the finals. This title win was their record 100th win and the Bryans now own the Open era mark, moving ahead of Bob Lutz and Stan Smith.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:04:46 +0000