Daily Current Affairs : OCTOBER 29, 2017
Daily Current Affairs : OCTOBER 29, 2017
NATIONAL
SAP launches Asia Pacific region‘s First Leonardo Centre:
Tech major SAP announced the launch of Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) region’s first SAP Leonardo Center in Bengaluru.
The fourth SAP Leonardo Center globally, the facility is a go-to place for SAP’s ecosystem for digital inspiration and co-innovation, the company said in a release.
Other SAP Leonardo Centers locations include New York-US, Paris-France, and Sao Leopoldo-Brazil. It combines a high concentration of customers and partners with one of SAP’s largest market units.
- Capital: Bengaluru
- Chief Minister: Siddaramaiah
- Governor: Vajubhai Vala
Uttar Pradesh declares Vrindavan, Barsana as sacred sites:
The Uttar Pradesh government issued an order notifying Vrindavan and Barsana towns in Mathura district as “pavitra teerth sthals (sacred pilgrimage sites)”. No meat and liquor shops will be allowed in these towns anymore.
Uttar Pradesh
- Capital: Lucknow
- Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
- Governor: Shri Ram Naik
Ministry of External Affairs Launches AsktheSpokesperson for better understanding of foreign policy:
The Ministry of External Affairs has launched a new initiative titled “#AsktheSpokesperson” on Twitter with an objective to bring better awareness and understanding of foreign policy issues to general public.
The inaugural session of #AsktheSpokesperson initiative was held on October 27, 2017 on the Ministry’s official Twitter handle @MEAIndia. Out of numerous queries received, the Spokesperson responded to selected question, live through periscope.
Under this initiative, the Ministry uses the social media platforms for inviting questions from public on India’s foreign policy and the selected questions are responded to by the Official Spokesperson live on social media.
Cabinet approves 7000 cr for construction of six IIT campuses:
The Union Cabinet has approved over Rs 7,000 crore for construction of permanent campuses of six new Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) across the country.
Each of the permanent campuses to be established at Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh), Palakkad (Kerala), Dharwad (Karnataka), Jammu (Jammu and Kashmir), Bhilai (Chhattisgarh) and Goa will have a facility for housing 1,200 students from the academic year 2020-2021.
11th World Congress on Adolescent Health held in New Delhi:
International Association for Adolescent Health (IAAH) 11th World Congress on Adolescent Health: Investing in Adolescent Health – the Future is held in New Delhi, India from 27-29 October 2017, hosted by MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child (MAMTA) and Consortium Partners.
INTERNATIONAL
India and US Hold 11th Trade Policy Forum Meeting in Washington D.C. On October 26TH:
The 11th Trade Policy Forum (TPF) Meeting was held in Washington D.C. on 26th October 2017. The Minister for Commerce and Industry, Shri Suresh Prabhu had productive discussions with the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer and his team in a cordial, friendly and positive manner.
USA
- President of the United States: Donald Trump
- Currency: United States Dollar
- Capital: Washington, D.C.
South Asian Association 14th year for Regional Co-operation in Law Conference begins in Colombo:
14th South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation in Law (SAARCLAW) Conference is being held from 27th -29th October 2017 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, along with the 11th SAARC Chief Justices Conference.
The conference was inaugurated on October 27, 2017 by Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The theme of 14th SAARCLAW Conference is “Emerging Legal Trends in SAARC Countries”.
Srilanka
- Currency: Sri Lankan rupee
- Capitals: Colombo, Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Prime minister: Ranil Wickremesinghe
International Peace Conference held in Imphal:
The Dalai Lama during his three-day maiden visit to Manipur addressed at the International Peace Conference in the capital.
The conference was aimed at promoting peace and harmony in the northeastern region.
BANKING & BUSINESS
AU Small Bank, SIDBI to set up Rs 200 crore fund for MSMEs:
AU Small Finance Bank tied up with Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to launch a `200-crore fund for providing loans to MSMEs. The programme will fund term loans in the `25 lakh to `2 crore ticket size. This joint financing programme with SIDBI aims to enhance credit to MSMEs.
India overtakes US to become second Largest Smartphone Market:
India has pipped the US to become the world’s second-largest smartphone market at the end of the third quarter, according to two research firms, which also said China’s Xiaomi is expected to end Korean major Samsung’s four and-a-half year reign at the top soon.
Singapore-based Canalys said in a report that the Indian smartphone market grew by 23% year-on-year in the July-September quarter to top 40 million units, fuelled mainly by Xiaomi, which logged an over 290% increase in shipments from a year ago to 9.2 million units.
Star Health Insurance Launches First-ever Insurance Policy for Persons Diagnosed with Cancer:
Star Health and Allied Insurance (SHAI) has introduced an industry-first health insurance cover for people already diagnosed with cancer.
The new health insurance scheme, Star Cancer Care Gold, comes in two sum-insured options — ₹3 lakh and ₹5 lakh. Persons in the age group five months to 65 years, who have already been diagnosed with cancer (stage 1 and 2), can take this insurance.
AWARDS
Sharmila Tagore honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award:
She still rules the hearts of many as ‘Sapnon Ki Rani’ and the honour of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award added another jewel to veteran actor Sharmila Tagore’s crown. The 72-year-old actor was bestowed with the recognition by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry for her contribution in the field of cinema.
Minister of State for Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh and Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari presented the award to Tagore at a ceremony.
SPORTS
England beat Spain 5-2 to Win First-ever U-17 Title:
England scripted a dramatic turnaround in Kolkata to win the 2017 FIFA U17 World Cup for the very first time after a 5-2 win over European U17 champions Spain.
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