IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 30^th, 2018

                       IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 30^th, 2018

1.      Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte is on a day-long maiden visit to India today.

a.       During this visit, he held talks with PM Narendra Modi to boost cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, besides participating in the India-Italy Technology Summit.

b.       The highlight of the visit will be the Italian prime minister's participation at the 24th edition of the India-Italy Technology Summit which is being organised by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

c.       The summit will focus on a number of areas including healthcare, aerospace, education, clean technology, renewable energy and information and communication technology.

2.      China and Pakistan will in November launch a Bus service through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. 

a.       The bus service plans to boost the friendly relations between the two countries.

3.      US President Donald Trump has turned down India's invitation to be the chief guest at next year's Republic Day parade. 

a.       A White House spokesperson said Trump would be unable to participate due to "scheduling constraints". 

4.      As many as 1,01,788 children under five years of age died in India in 2016 from exposure to Toxic Air, according to World Health Organization, making India the worst affected country.

a.       Top 3 in the List :

i)       India (1,01,788)

ii)     Nigeria (98,001) 

iii)   Pakistan (38,252)

5.       German chancellor Angela Merkel has announced that she will step down from the position in 2021, following recent election setbacks. 

a.       She also said she would not seek re-election as leader of the centre-right CDU party in December. She has held the post since 2000.

6.      The 22nd National Level Meeting between India and Myanmar was held in October, 2018. 

a.       During the meeting both sides agreed to take action against insurgent groups operating within their territories. 

b.       The two countries agreed on providing of security cooperation along with international border and facilitating movement of people and trade across the international border.

7.      Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate the world’s tallest statue, the “Statue of Unity”, to the Nation in Gujarat tomorrow.

a.       The 182-metre statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Kevadiya in Narmada district will be dedicated to the nation on his birth anniversary.

8.      Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), a Mini Ratna Public Sector Undertaking, under the Ministry of Defence, received the prestigious ‘Top Challengers Award 2018’ for the excellent performance during financial year 2017-18.

9.      'Train 18', Indian Railways' 1st -ever engineless train that travels at 160 kmph, began trials today. 

a.       It can cut down travel time by around 15% compared to Shatabdi and has sliding doors which open only after the train stops.

10. NASA's Parker Solar Probe today became the closest human-made object to the Sun, surpassing the closest approach of 42.72 million kilometres set by German-American Helios 2 spacecraft in April 1976.

a.       Launched on August 12, Parker Solar Probe also broke Helios 2's record for fastest spacecraft travelling relative to the Sun which had reached a heliocentric speed of 246,960 kmph.

11. China is going to build the country's 1st permanent airport in the South Pole which will provide logistical support to the scientists' research there.

a.       The airport will decrease the exposure time of researchers in the polar environment as well as medical aid time.

12. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has approved the re-appointment of Aditya Puri as Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank for another two years. 

a.       Puri has helmed HDFC Bank since 1994, making him the longest-serving head of any private bank in India.

13. Michael D Higgins has been re-elected Irish president after winning a landslide victory with 8,22,566 votes. 

a.       He will serve his second term after first being elected in 2011. 

b.       Mr Higgins is Ireland’s 9th president.

14. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro won the Presidential elections of Brazil.

15. Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro has won a sweeping victory in Brazil’s presidential election. 

a.       Bolsonaro campaigned on a promise to eradicate corruption and to drive down Brazil’s high crime levels. 

b.       His campaign slogan was ‘Brazil above everything, God above everyone’.

16. Former England women's cricket team bowler Eileen Ash, the oldest living Test cricketer, turned 107 years old today. 

a.       She made her debut against Australia and played seven Tests for England either side of World War II, taking 10 wickets at an average of 23.00. 

b.       In 2011, Ash had become the first ever female Test cricketer to turn 100.

17. Indian professional tennis player Divij Sharan today overtook Rohan Bopanna to become India’s highest ranked Tennis doubles player in the latest ATP rankings. 

a.       Sharan is ranked on 38, one place higher than the veteran Bopanna.

b.       Top 10 in Latest ATP Rankings :

i)       Rafael Nadal

ii)     Novak Djokovic

iii)   Roger Federer

iv)   Juan Martin Del Potro

v)     Alexander Zverev

vi)   Kevin Anderson

vii) Marin Cilic

viii)                   Dominic Theim

ix)    John Isner

x)      Grigor Dimitrov

18. Steel manufacturing giant Tata Steel was named as an official partner for the prestigious Men's hockey World Cup 2018 to be held here from 285th November to 16th December 2018.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 29^th, 2018

                       IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 29^th, 2018

1.     (29th October) is International Internet Day.

a.      This was the year of 1969 when Charley Kline, a student programmer at the UCLA transmitted the first ever message on 29th of October in 1969.

b.      Since the year 2005 the International Internet Day has been celebrated to commemorate this momentous day in the history of telecommunications and technology.

2.     World's first robot citizen Sophia has been granted the world's first robot visa for a world tour on behalf of her Hong Kong-based developer Hanson Robotics. 

3.     Japanese Princess Ayako today married a commoner in a ceremony held at Tokyo's Meiji Shrine. 

a.      Note : According to Japan's imperial law, the royal family's female members forfeit their status if they choose to marry someone who does not have royal or aristocratic family ties.

4.     A Bangladesh court today sentenced former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia to 7 years in jail on corruption charges.

5.     The Supreme Court today prohibited the plying of 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles in Delhi-NCR region. 

a.      Earlier, the NGT also sought to ban 15-year-old petrol vehicles and 10-year-old diesel vehicles.

6.     On the 2nd day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan, India and Japan today signed a $75 billion bilateral currency swap agreement in Tokyo.

a.      "The agreement should help bring greater stability to foreign exchange and capital markets in India," a statement said.

7.     Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries today  launched the United Arab Emirates' (UAE) 1st locally made satellite KhalifaSat into orbit.

a.      The Japanese rocket also carried an IBUKI-2 greenhouse gas observation satellite for Japan. 

8.     The government of india has notified the sale of electoral bond by the State Bank of India (SBI) through its 29 authorized branches from 1st to 10th November 2018. 

a.      An Electoral Bond is just like a promissory note that will be payable to bearer on demand and free of interest. 

b.      It can be purchased by a citizen of India or anybody incorporated in India.

c.      Important Points to Note : 

i)      The concept of electoral bond was initiated in Union Budget 2017.

ii)    Later on Electoral bond scheme 2018 was introduced.

9.     The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) has acquired the software company Red Hat in a $34 billion cash and debt deal, marking its biggest ever acquisition till date. 

a.      Red Hat will be a distinct unit within IBM’s Hybrid Cloud team.

10.Former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has been appointed as the head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kings XI Punjab ahead of the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League.

a.      He is going to replace Brad Hodge.

11.India and Pakistan have been declared as joint winners of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2018 after the final was forfeited due to heavy rain in Oman's Muscat today. 

a.      Malaysia's Faizal Saari was the top scorer of the tournament with 8 Goals. 

b.      India's Harmanpreet Singh finished the edition as the second-highest scorer with six goals.

12.Mercedes' British driver Lewis Hamilton won his 5th Formula 1 world championship after finishing fourth at the Mexican Grand Prix today. 

a.      Hamilton is now the joint second most successful F1 driver in history in terms of titles won. 

13.The Delhi Cabinet today approved government jobs for sportspersons from the city who excel in their respective fields. 

a.      Note : In August, the Delhi Cabinet had increased the cash incentive for sportspersons for their achievements in the Olympics, the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 28^th, 2018

                       IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 28^th, 2018

1.     Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a 3 day visit to Japan.

a.      Modi visited his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe in the Yamanashi Prefecture and discussed various issues. 

b.      He has also visited the automation and robotic firm FANUC in the industrial city facing Mount Fuji. 

c.      During this visit, modi will attend the 13th Annual India-Japan Bilateral Summit. 

d.      Focus areas of 13th India Japan Bilateral Summit : To boost cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, carry out joint infrastructure projects in third countries and enhancing defence ties, including launch of talks for a logistic support pact between the two navies.

2.     In a recently held referendum, Ireland voted to remove the offence of blasphemy from the constitution, with 64.85% of the voters supporting the move.

3.     Pakistan's Supreme Court today reintroduced the ban on airing Indian movies and TV shows on local channels, overturning an earlier verdict by the Lahore High Court (LHC). 

a.      The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had imposed a complete ban on airing Indian content on local television and FM radio channels in 2016, which was revoked by the LHC.

4.     (28th October 2016) is National Ayurveda Day.

a.      Ayurveda is the oldest healing science. It orginated in India more than 6000 years ago.

b.      The literal meaning of Ayurveda is "Knowledge of Life".

c.      To celebrate this day, the Al India Institute of Ayurveda in collaboration with Ministry of AYUSH organised a programme titled ‘Run for Ayurveda’. 

d.      Around 3,000 people participated in the event. 

5.     The Central Pollution Control Board has advised people in Delhi to avoid strenuous outdoor exercises like jogging or running between 1st to 10th November 2018, as the air quality in the city is expected to deteriorate. 

a.      Toxic fumes from stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana as well as localised emissions during Diwali could contribute to the deterioration in Delhi's air quality.

6.     A new Supreme Court bench has been formed to hear the pleas in Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. 

a.      Head of the Bench : Ranjan Gogoi (Chief Justice of India)

b.      Members :

o    Justice S K Kaul 

o    K M Joseph

7.     American multinational technology company Apple Inc topped the list of World's Most Valuable Companies 2018.

a.      Software giant Microsoft has reclaimed its spot as the world's second most valuable company by overtaking e-commerce giant Amazon. 

8.     According to International Air Transport Association (IATA)'s 20- year air passenger forecast report, India will be among the top three aviation markets by the year 2024.

a.      Note : India is currently at 7th position in Global Aviation market.

9.     The Indian railways announced its plan to build world’s highest railway line titled Bilaspur-Manali-Leh Line.

a.      The projected cost to construct the 465 km line will be Rs 83,360 crore.

b.      This new line will link New Delhi and Ladakh and will run along the India-China Border. 

10.Swiss digital technology company ABB today announced it's investing $150 million to build a new factory in Shanghai, China, where robots will make robots. 

a.      The 75,000-square-foot factory will produce robots for China as well as for export elsewhere in Asia. 

11.Winners of UN Human Rights Prize 2018 :

a.      Asma Jahangir (Pakistan’s late human rights activist)

b.      Rebeca Gyumi (A Tanzanian human rights activist)

c.      Joenia Wapichana (Brazil’s first indigenous lawyer)

d.      Front Line Defenders (A human rights organisation of Ireland)

12.Bollywood Actor Ranbir Kapoor was honored with 'Vogue Man Of The Year 2018' Award. 

a.      Vicky Kaushal won the 'Vogue Trends Disruptor Of The Year 2018 (Male) Award'.

b.      Ayushmann Khurrana won the 'Vogue Man Of The Moment 2018' award. 

c.      Kareena Kapoor Khan was named 'Vogue and IWC Schaffhausen Style Icon of The Year 2018' .

d.      Alia Bhatt won the award for 'Vogue and Lamborghini Youth Icon Of The Year 2018'.

e.      Radhika Apte won the award for 'Vogue Trends Disruptor Of The Year (Female)'.

f.        Meghna Gulzar was named 'Vogue Filmmaker Of The Year 2018'.

13.Former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul received the Honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of the West Indies. 

a.      Chanderpaul's international career spanned over two decades in which he played a record 164 Test matches. 

b.      The 44-year-old scored 11,867 runs, including 30 centuries, at an average of 51.37 runs per innings.

14.Delhi's former Chief Minister Madan Lal Khurana (82) passed away.

a.      The BJP leader served as Delhi's CM from 1993 to 1996 and briefly as the Governor of Rajasthan in 2004.

15.1984-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, Sanjay Kumar Mishra took charge as the Interim Director of Enforcement Directorate (ED).

a.      He has replaced Karnal Singh, whose tenure ends today (28th October 2018). 

b.      Mishra will be in this post for 3 months or until the appointment of a regular chief. 

16.India's Sourav Kothari defeated Peter Gilchrist of Singapore to clinch the 2018 WBL World Billiards Championship title in England today.