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Showing posts with label
October 2015 Current Affairs updates.
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Showing posts with label
October 2015 Current Affairs updates.
Show all posts
International Affairs
- Today is Halloween.
- The word Halloween came from 'Hallowed evening', and is the day before All Hallows Day - also known as All Saints' Day.
- Today (31st October) is World Savings Day.
- This day was established on October 31, 1924, during the 1st International Savings Bank Congress (World Society of Savings Banks) in Milano, Italy.
- The BRICS nations - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - have signed Moscow Declaration for co-investment of resources for supporting multilateral Research and Development (R&D) Projects in mutually agreed areas.
- This declaration was signed during the third meeting of the BRICS Ministers for Science, Technology and Innovation that was held in Moscow, Russia.
- Indian delegation to this meeting was led by Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences.
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International Affairs
- According to the United Nations' recent report, the Asia Pacific region is the world's most disaster prone part.
- As per the organisation, the part needs regional cooperation to address cross boundary disasters since natural disasters have killed half a million people in Asia and the Pacific over the past decade.
- In the last 10 years, the region has been struck by 1,625 disasters
- Disasters in Asia Pacific region accounted for 40 percent of the global total
- The report says that the region needs to spend more on adapting to climate change. The region also needs to prepare for more extreme weather and disaster risks
- Other disasters affecting the region include floods, tropical storms and droughts. The report calls them as 'silent killers'
- Over 1.4 billion people were affected by these incidents
- 90 percent of the world's seismic activity originates in the 'ring of fire' which is situated in the basin of the Pacific Ocean
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International Affairs
- China will ease family planning restrictions to allow all couples to have two children, abandoning its decades-long one-child policy, according to a communiqué issued today by the ruling Communist Party.
- The restriction was introduced in 1980 as a way to curb the population and limit demands for water and other resources.
- Note : The controversial policy restricted most couples to only a single offspring, and for years authorities argued that it was a key contributor to China's economic boom.
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International Affairs
- Prime Minister Modi holds bilateral meetings with Heads of State of 20 African countries who have come for India-Africa Forum Summit.
- He has met the Heads of States of Zimbabwe, Benin, Ghana and Swaziland so far.
- Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has admitted in an interview that Islamabad supported and trained groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the 1990s to carry out militancy in Kashmir.
- The former army chief has also said that Lashkar leaders like Hafiz Saeed and Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi enjoyed the status of heroes at that time.
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International Affairs
- Today (27th October) is World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
- This commemorative day was chosen by UNESCO in the year 2005 to raise of awareness of the significance of and preservation risks recorded sound and audiovisual documents (films, sound and video recordings, radio and television programmes).
- Theme of 2015 : “Archives at Risk: Protecting the World Identities”
- Today is 24th Independence Day of Turkmenistan.
- It became independent upon the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
- About Turkmenistan
- Capital - Ashgabat
- President - Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
- Currency - Turkmen new manat
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s recent report, Processed meats - such as bacon, sausages and ham - do cause cancer.
- Its report said 50g of processed meat a day - less than two slices of bacon - increased the chance of developing colorectal cancer by 18%.
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International Affairs
- 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit begins in New Delhi today.
- Heads of States and Representatives of all 54 African countries are participating in it.
- This is one of the biggest gathering of African Nations outside Africa.
- The 4-day summit will address the key challenges faced by Africa, which includes food, health and environmental ecurity.
- India hopes to create conditions that stimulate trade and investment flows between India and African countries.
- Note : This will be the biggest summit that New Delhi will be hosting since the NAM summit of 1984.
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International Affairs
- India-Africa Forum Summit 2015 will be held from Tomorrow (26th October) to 29th October in New Delhi.
- This is the largest summit of African countries outside Africa.
- Leaders from 54 African countries & Unions have been invited at the Summit.
- Note : This will be the biggest summit that New Delhi will be hosting since the NAM summit of 1984.
- External Affairs Minister SushmaSwaraj with African envoys has inaugurated an India Africa Rose Garden in Chanakyapuri in New Delhi ahead of the third India Africa Summit.
- The rose garden will be symbolic of the fragrance and colour that the India-Africa relationship is increasingly getting imbued with.
- Each of the 42 African envoys will be planting a rose sapling, along with Swaraj, in the rose garden.
- The garden will be maintained by the New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC).
- Today (last Sunday of October) is world Mother in Law Day.
- Hurricane Patricia hits Mexico’s Pacific coast, bringing downpours, surging seas and cyclonic winds.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to visit England next month.
- This visit will deepen the bonds between the two countries.
- During this visit, he will inaugurate Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan in London.
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International Affairs
- Today (24th October) is World Polio Day.
- This day observes the importance of ending polio.
- World Polio Day 2015 Theme : End Polio Now: Make History Today.
- Today is United Nations Day.
- Unted Nations was formed on 24th October 1945.
- The organization turns 70 today.
- Note : United Nations Day is part of United Nations Week, which runs from 20 to 26 October.
- Important Details about United Nations :
- Headquarters : New York City
- Formed on : 24th October 1945
- Total Member States : 193 (2 observers)
- Key People :
- Secretary‑General : Ban Ki-moon
- Deputy Secretary-General : Jan Eliasson
- General Assembly President : Mogens Lykketoft
- Economic and Social Council President : Martin Sajdik
- Security Council President : Dato Ramlan Ibrahim
- World Development Information Day is being observed today.
- The purpose behind celebrating this day is to drawing the attention of world public opinion towards the development problems and for strengthening International cooperation to solve them.
- The Indo-Tibetan Border Police is celebrating its 54th Raising Day today.
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International Affairs
- The India China Combined Military Training Exercise Hand in Hand 2015, which was commenced on 12 October at Kunming Military Academy, Yunnan of China, was concluded today.
- Strict laws against homosexuality have come into effect in the conservative Indonesian province of Aceh.
- Gay sex between Muslim men or women, both locals and foreigners, can now be punished with 100 strokes of the cane.
- The law, passed in 2014 but only now being enforced, has faced opposition by rights groups.
- Note : The strictly Muslim province has become increasingly conservative in recent years and is the only one in Indonesia allowed to implement Sharia law.
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International Affairs
- Chinese President Xi Jinping and British Prime Minister David Cameron signed a number of investment agreements including one to finance nuclear power stations in Britain.
- The agreement is the first major Chinese investment in a Western nuclear facility.
- China’s General Nuclear Corporation (CGN) will take a one-third stake in the planned 18 billion pound Hinkley Point nuclear plant in southwest England, controlled by France’s EDF.
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International Affairs
- US and Russian military officials have signed a memorandum of understanding that includes steps their pilots should take to avoid an inadvertent clash over Syria as they carry out separate air strikes against armed groups.
- Canadian Liberal prime minister designate Justin Trudeau has confirmed that Canada will withdraw its fighter jets from the US-led mission against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
- Cabinet today approves agreement between India & Egypt on Maritime Transport, for cooperation on merchant shipping & maritime related issues.
- Cabinet also approves Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters between India and Maldives for investigation of crimes.
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International Affairs
- The Nepal government today formed a 5 member committee for holding a dialogue with the agitating Madhesi community.
- This five-member committee will hold talks with the agitating groups including the Joint Democratic Madhesi Front.
- This committee will be headed by : Kamal Thapa (Deputy Prime Minister)
- India asked Russia to share any information it has on the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
- Russia told that it will look into the matter and will let India know if there is any information on NetajiFiles.
- Russian Foreign Minister : Sergey Lavrov
- India's External Affairs Minister : Sushma Swaraj
- NATO is launching Trident Juncture Military Exercise 2015 in Italy.
- Trident Juncture is NATO's biggest military exercise in 13 years, mobilizing 36,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen from more than 30 countries to test the alliance's ability to respond to new security threats.
- NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization
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International Affairs
- Super Typhoon Koppu (which is also known as Typhoon Lando) hits Philippines.
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International Affairs
- Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa arrived in Delhi today to hold talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
- This is his First Foreign visit after assuming office.
- During the talks, the Indian side is expected to convey its concerns over the continued unrest in the Himalayan nation.
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International Affairs
- Today (17th October) is International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
- This day has been observed every year since 1993, when the United Nations General Assembly, by resolution designated this day to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and destitution in all countries.
- Fighting poverty remains at the core of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the development of the post-2015 development agenda.
- Theme of International Day of the Eradication of Poverty 2015 : Building a sustainable future : Coming together to end poverty and discrimination
- India is going host the Third India-Africa Forum Summit, one of the biggest summit of African countries outside Africa.
- This summit is going to be held from 26th to 29th October 2015 in New Delhi.
- Nepal's new Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa is on a visit to India from 17th to 19th October 2015.
- This is his maiden visit abroad after taking over a few days ago.
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International Affairs
- Today (16th October) is World Food Day.
- This day is celebrated every year around the world on 16th October in honor of the date of the founding of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1945.
- World Food Day 2015 Theme : Social protection and Agriculture
- Today is World Spine Day.
- Theme of World Spine Day 2015 : Straighten Up and Move
- US President Barack Obama has confirmed plans to extend the US military presence in Afghanistan beyond 2016, in a shift in policy.
- The Myanmar government today signed a peace accord with Eight of the 15 Ethnic Armed Groups, a ceremony which was attended by India along with other five "international witnesses".
- Apart from India, other international representation was from China, Japan, Thailand, the United Nations and the European Union.
- Note : India was represented by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval
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International Affairs
- Today (15th October) is the International Day of Rural Women.
- This day is observed to recognize women’s often forgotten contributions to society and the economy.
- President Pranab Mukherjee, who is in Jerusalem on the final leg of his
tri-nation tour to West Asia, held a meeting with his Israeli
counterpart Reuven Rivlin.
- Important Note : Pranab Mukherjee became first Indian President to address Israeli Parliament Knesset.
- The Navies of India, United States and Japan began the five-day 'Malabar exercise 2015' on the Eastern coast, in which several warships, aircraft carriers and fast attack submarine would participate.
- Naval personnel of the three countries will participate in the event.
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International Affairs
- Today (14th October) is World Standards Day / International standards day.
- This day was initially launched in 1970, and is now recognized and celebrated by nations around the globe.
- This day honors the efforts of the thousands of experts who develop voluntary standards within standards development organizations such as the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).
- The aim of World Standards Day is to raise awareness among regulators, industry and consumers as to the importance of standardization to the global economy.
- IEC President - Dr. Junji Nomura
- ITU Secretary General - Houlin Zhao
- ISO President - Zhang Xiaogang
- World Standards Day 2015 Theme : “Standards – The World’s Common Language”
- President Pranabh Mukherjee, who arrived in Jerusalem after visiting Jordan and Palestine called on President Reuven Rivlin of Israel at President House, Jerusalem today.
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International Affairs
- Today is International Day for Disaster Reduction.
- This day was started in 1989 with the approval by the United Nations General Assembly.
- The UN General Assembly sees International Day as a way to promote a global culture of disaster reduction, including disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.
- This day was originally celebrated on the second Wednesday of October, the UN General Assembly decided in 2009 to designate October 13th as the date to celebrate IDDR.
- Themes of International Day for Disaster Reduction
- 2011: Making Children and Young People Partners for Disaster Risk Reduction
- 2012: Women and Girls: the [in]Visible Force of Resilience
- 2013: Living with Disability and Disasters
- 2014: Resilience is for Life
- 2015: Knowledge for Life
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International Affairs
- The India-China Combined Military Training Exercise, Hand In Hand 2015, began at Kunming, China today.
- The purpose of the exercise is
- to develop joint operating
capability,
- share useful experience in counter-terrorism operations and
-
to promote friendly exchanges between the armies of India and China.
- India for the first time fielded a contingent of 175 troops from 2nd Battalion of Naga Regiment from Eastern Command which looks after the border with China.
- China, meanwhile, deployed troops from 14 Corps of China’s Chengdu Military Region whose focus is on Indian borders.
- This is the Fifth round of exercises being held by both sides.
- First drill was held in southwest China's Yunnan Province in 2007
- Second drill was held in Belgaum in Karnataka a in 2008.
- Third round was held in southwest China's Sichuan in 2013, followed by
- Fourth was held in Pune in 2014.
- In the second leg of his Tri-Nation visit, President Pranab Mukherjee reaches Palestinian city of Ramallah.
- This was the First ever state visit by an Indian president to Palestine.
- He was given a ceremonial reception by the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Presidential palace.
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