Daily Current Affairs : October 17, 2017
Daily Current Affairs : October 17, 2017
INTERNATIONAL
“Exercise INDRA – 2017: Indo-Russia Joint Exercise”:
Exercise INDRA-2017, the first ever Tri Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces will be conducted in the Eastern Military District of Russia from 19 to 29 Oct 2017.The 11-day Exercise INDRA-2017 will be conducted at the 249th Combined Army Range Sergeevisky and in the Sea of Japan near Vladivostok.
The Indian contingent will comprise 350 personnel from Army, 80 from Air Force, two IL 76 aircraft and one frigate and corvette each from the Navy.
Russia
- Russian President: Vladimir Putin.
- Currency: Russian ruble
- Capital: Moscow
Varun Dhawan Youngest Indian Actor to get statue at Tussauds:
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan’s first ever wax figure will be the fourth from India to join Madame Tussauds Hong Kong with those of Mahatma Gandhi, Narendra Modi and Amitabh Bachchan currently on display. He will unveil it in the first quarter of 2018.
BANKING & BUSINESS
First Investment Agreement signed between NIIF and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority:
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) of India it has signed an investment agreement worth $1 billion with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).
The agreement has been signed between NIIF Master Fund and a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world.
ADIA will become the first institutional investor in NIIF’s Master Fund and a shareholder in National Investment and Infrastructure Ltd, the NIIF’s investment management company.
United Arab Emirates
- Currency: United Arab Emirates dirham
- Capital: Abu Dhabi
IBM Launches Blockchain Banking Network to Speed Cross-border Payments:
International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) announced the launch of IBM Blockchain, a new blockchain banking solution, that will help financial institutions for cross-border payments.
In the first international payments network of its kind, IBM has partnered with regional financial services company KlickEx Group and Stellar.org, a nonprofit organization that supports an open source blockchain network for financial services.
The solution is designed to reduce the settlement time and lower the cost of completing global payments for businesses and consumers.
Yes Bank Commits Rs 156 crores for Namami Gange Project:
Private sector Yes Bank said it has committed Rs 156 crore to fund first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to be constructed at Varanasi under Hybrid Annuity-PPP Model.
The bank has signed a deal with Essel Infraprojects for the financial closure of Rs 156 crore that will fund the STP under Namami Gange Project.
Bangkok Bank signs deal with Intellect Design for Digital Transaction Banking Platform:
Bangkok Bank to launch faster, better, more international services – signs deal with Intellect Design to implement its iGTB Digital Transaction Banking Platform.
Intellect Design Arena announced that iGTB, the transaction banking and technology specialist of Intellect Design Arena, has been selected by Bangkok Bank, Thailand’s market leader in corporate and small and medium sized enterprises banking, as a technology partner to implement a comprehensive cash management platform and corporate portal.
Thailand
- Currency: Thai baht
- Capital: Bangkok
APPOINTMENTS
Government Appoints MK Gupta DK Gayen As New Railway Board members:
The government of India has appointed Mahesh Kumar Gupta and D K Gayen as the two new members in the Railway Board.
D.K. Gayen, presently posted as General Manager East Central Railway, has been appointed as new Member (Staff) Railway Board and ex official Secretary to the Government of India .
Meanwhile, M K Gupta, presently General Manager, Modern Coach Factory Raibareli has been appointed as new Member (Engineering) Railway Board and ex official Secretary to the Government of India.
AWARDS
Indian-American attorney Ajay Raju gets American Bazaar Philanthropy award:
Noted Indian-American attorney Ajay Raju has been honoured with the third American Bazaar Philanthropy award in recognition of his philanthropic activities in the US.
Indian peacekeepers in Sudan awarded UN medal:
As many as 50 Indian peacekeepers stationed in South Sudan have been awarded the UN Medal for their professionalism and service in protecting civilians and building durable peace in the conflict-ridden country.
The Indian peacekeepers are part of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).They were presented with the award recently by UNMISS Force Commander General Frank Mushyo Kamanzi.
Indian Ambassador to South Sudan, Srikumar Menon, attended the medal ceremony and thanked the peace keepers for their commitment and service.
BOOK & AUTHOR
Pranab Mukherjee political Autobiography released:
Former President Pranab Mukherjee has released the third part of his memoir ‘The Coalition Years: 1996-2012’, speaking candidly about believing he could have been the Congress choice for the Prime Minister’s post.
HISTORIC EVENT OF THE DAY
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty – October 17:
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the declaration by the General Assembly, in its resolution 47/196 of 22 December 1992, of 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Call to Action by Father Joseph Wresinski—which inspired the observance of October 17 as the World Day for Overcoming Extreme Poverty—and the recognition by the United Nations of the day as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
Theme: “Answering the Call of October 17 to end poverty: A path toward peaceful and inclusive societies”
