Morning Current Affairs: 13 September 2017

Los Angeles to host 2028 Olympics

Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympics. The evaluation commission of International Olympic Committee (IOC) gave the formal go ahead to its bid on 12 September 2017. Today, the full IOC will award the 2024 Games to Paris and the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles had originally bid for 2024, but because of the new date, it had to make changes to its host contract. The evaluation commission said that although details need to be finalised, it is confident Los Angeles can host Olympics in 2028.

UNSC to hold closed-door session today on Myanmar violence

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has decided to hold a closed-door session on the violence in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. The meeting to be held on 13 September 2017 was requested by Britain and Sweden. The exodus from Rakhine state began after Rohingya militants attacked police posts on the 25 August 2017, prompting a military backlash that forced nearly 3 lakh 70000 Rohingya Muslims to flee their homes.

Last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres wrote a letter to the Council urging members to send a message to Myanmar authorities to end the security operation. Two leading human rights groups, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, have slammed the Council for inaction over the crisis. They deplored the Council's failure to speak out and demand an end to the violence.

EC rejects Sharad Yadav faction's claim on party's election symbol

In a setback to rebel JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav, the Election Commission on 12 September 2017 rejected his faction's claim on party's election symbol. Official sources said the Commission has disposed of off Yadav's application as it was not supported by relevant documents.

After opposing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's move to break alliance with RJD and join hands with the BJP, the former JD(U) president, had approached the poll body claiming that he represented the real JD(U) and staked the claim for party's symbol.

Later, Nitish Kumar's group had also submitted members' affidavits to the Commission in its support.