IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 16th, 2017

IMPORTANT CURRENT AFFAIRS OF OCTOBER 16th, 2017

1. On 16th October is World Food Day.

a. This day is observed every year around the world in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organizaiton of the United Nations in the year 1945.

b. Theme of World Food Day 2017 : "Change the future of migration. Invest in food security and rural development."

2. On 16th October is World Spine Day.

a. This day is observed to raise awareness about spinal health and spine disorders to individuals, communities, professionals and all stakeholders associated with spine care.

b. Theme of World Spine Day 2017 : “Your Back In Action”

3. The first ever Tri Services Joint Exercise between Indian and Russian Armed Forces, INDRA-2017 is going to be held in the Eastern Military District of Russia from 19th to 29th of October 2017.

4. The UK and Germany On 16th October agreed that they will remain committed to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran after US President Donald Trump announced that he would not certify Iran's compliance with the pact.

a. However, the countries also agreed that the international community needs to continue to explore ways of addressing concerns about Iran's ballistic missile programme.

5. Shillong (Meghalaya) will host its second Cherry Blossom Festival between November 8 and 11.

6.According to the Indian Meteorological Department, Bengaluru in the current year (2017) witnessed the highest rainfall in the recorded history of 115 years. 

7. The Tamil Nadu government will soon set up coaching academies for civil services aspirants in all its 32 districts, state Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan announced On 16th October. 

a. The academies would benefit poor and middle class youths in their bid to clear the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service examinations and get good ranks, he added.

8. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman On 16th October commissioned the third indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette INS Kiltan into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam. 

a. With a displacement of 3,500 tonnes, it spans 109 meters in length and 14 meters at the beam. 

b. The ship has become part of the Eastern Fleet and would enhance the Navy's reach in the Indian Ocean Region.

9. Carnatic vocalist T M Krishna has won 30th Indira Gandhi Award for National Integration for 2015 -16 for his services in promoting and preserving national integration in the country.

10.Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan will get a wax statue at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.

a. With this, the 30 year old actor will become the youngest Indian actor to have his statue at the museum. 

11.US technology company IBM has launched blockchain network for cross-border payments that enables transfer of money in near real-time. 

a. The banking network includes "12 currency corridors" that encompass Australia and New Zealand as well as smaller countries like Fiji and Tonga. 

12.The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) of India has signed an investment agreement worth $1 billion with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

a. The agreement marks the culmination of an extensive process of collaboration with ADIA to develop an investment structure that is attractive to international investors while remaining closely aligned with the NIIF’s objectives. 

13.  Filmmaker-actor Lekh Tandon (88), who gave Shah Rukh Khan his first break with the TV serial 'Dil Dariya', passed away On 16th October.

a. Important Note : Tandon is known for directing 'Amrapali', which was India's entry to Oscars 1967, and for acting in films like 'Swades', 'Paheli' and 'Chennai Express'.

14.Young Indian paddler Selena Selvakumar wins triple gold medal at Egypt Junior and Cadet Open Table Tennis Championship.

15.Kavita Devi, a former weightlifter and South Asian Games gold medalist, has become the first-ever Indian woman to sign with the WWE. 

16.WWE also signed Shadia Bseiso, its first female performer from an Arab nation.