Top 5 Current Affairs: 8 April 2019

SC directs ECI to increase checking of VVPAT slips

The Supreme Court on April 8, 2019 directed the Election Commission of India (ECI) to increase the random checking of VVPAT slips from 1 EVM to 5 EVMs in each assembly of a parliamentary constituency in Lok Sabha Elections 2019.

The bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and comprising Justices Deepak Gupta and Sanjiv Khanna said that the objective behind the move is to ensure a higher degree of accuracy and conduct free and fair elections.

Merger of Lakshmi Vilas Bank with Indiabulls Housing

The Board of private sector lender, Lakshmi Vilas Bank Ltd (LVB) on April 5, 2019 approved its merger with the mortgage financier, Indiabulls Housing Finance Ltd in an all stock deal.

As per the ‘Scheme of Amalgamation’ approved by the LVB board, for every 100 shares of Laxmi Vilas Bank held, shareholders will receive 14 shares of Indiabulls Housing Finance. The merger now awaits the approval of the Reserve Bank of India.

US urges halt to military operations in Libya

The United States on April 7, 2019 called for an immediate halt to military operations in Libya as the Libyan National Army headed by Khalifa Haftar advanced on the nation’s capital, Tripoli.

Speaking on the situation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the United States was deeply concerned about the recent fighting near Tripoli and urged talks to end the fighting. Pompeo further stated that the US has made it clear that it opposes the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar’s forces and has urged for an immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital.

75th anniversary of Battle of Kangla Tongbi commemorated

The Platinum Jubilee of the Battle of Kangla Tongbi, also known as Battle of Imphal, was commemorated on April 7, 2019 by the Army Ordnance Corps at Kangla Tongbi War Memorial near Imphal, Manipur.

The 75th anniversary celebrations honoured the martyrs of Ordnance Personnel of 221 Advance Ordnance Depot who made their supreme sacrifice during the World War-II on the night of April 6/7, 1944. The Battle of Imphal or Kangla Tongbi is referred to as one of the bloodiest battles of World War-II.

US Homeland Security Secretary resigns

Kirstjen Nielsen, the US homeland security secretary, on April 7, 2019 stepped down from her position, ending a tumultuous tenure in charge of the border security agency that had made her the target of the president’s criticism.

Nielsen announced her resignation after meeting with US President Donald Trump. In her resignation letter, she wrote that it was the right time for her to step aside. She further stated that she hoped that the next secretary will have the support of Congress and the courts in fixing the laws that have impeded the ability to fully secure America’s borders and that have contributed to discord in the nation’s discourse.