Current Affairs Today 23rd to 27th October 2020-Download in PDF

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Current Affairs Today – 23rd to 27th October 2020

NEWS AT A GLANCE

1. International Stuttering Awareness Day is observed annually on October 22.
2. Every year 23^rd October is celebrated as International Snow Leopard Day.
3. Every year 24^th October is observed as the International Day of Diplomats.
4. Every year 24^th Observed as the United Nations’ World Development Information Day.
5. Every year 24^th October is celebrated as the World Polio Day.
6. Every year 24 October is celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.
7. World Development Information Day is celebrated annually on October 24th.
8. Every year 27^th October is observed as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.
9. The Vigilance Awareness Week is to be held between October 27, 2020 and November 2, 2020.
10. State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) announced a tie up with Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) to enable finance options for the automaker’s customers and dealers.
11. ICICI Bank has shut down his operations in Sri Lanka after getting approval from the Sri Lankan monetary authority.
12. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank Aditya Puri, has stepped down.
13. The Ministry of Finance has further extended the deadline for filing income tax returns by individual taxpayers for FY 2019-20 by a month till December 31, 2020.
14. 24^th October Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three key projects in Gujarat
15. The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel launched ‘Life in Miniature’ project via video conferencing on 22 October 2020.
16. India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of International Labour Organization (ILO), after a gap of 35 years.
17. As per the directives of Railway Board, the staff of Railway Protection Force in Vijayawada Division launched ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative in Train No.07225 Amaravathi Express between Vijayawada-Hubli.
18. The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp in the presence of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
19. The SAI has consented a national coaching camp for table tennis.
20. The Ministry of Defence recently approved the land transfer rules.
21. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) observed its 59th Raising Day on 24 October 2020.
22. The Integrated Model Agricultural Village scheme (Ekikrit Adarsh Krishi Gram Yojana) launched by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
23. The Union Ministry of Rural Development has declared the list of tops performing 30 districts in the country for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
24. ‘YSR Bima’ scheme is launched by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy with an aim to provide financial assistance through insurance cover to beneficiary in case of death or accident of their families members.
25. The Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand has become the first Ramsar site in the state, giving it the status of ‘Wetland of International Importance’.
26. In Mizoram, the state government has decided to observe ‘COVID-19 – No Tolerance Fortnight’ beginning from 26th October as a containment measure to flatten the curve of Covid-19 in the state.
27. To keep a check on the declining numbers of elephants in the state, the West Bengal government launched marketing campaign to prevent deaths of elephants from electrocution.
28. Tamil Nadu government is implementing the Smart Black Board scheme in 80,000 government schools to ensure better teaching environment.
29. The air quality in Delhi was recorded in the very poor category.
30. Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to establish anti-human trafficking Police Stations in each and every district in a major step towards the security of women and children.
31. Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stones of nine National Highway projects in Tripura.
32. Every year, October 27 is celebrated as Infantry Day by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir (known by nickname, Chinar Corps).
33. Andorra has joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 16 October 2020, to become its 190th member.
34. Lebanon re-appointed Saad Hariri as its Prime Minister.
35. Sushil Kumar Singhal, a 2000-batch IFS officer, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to the Solomon Islands.
36. Bangladesh government has decided that no service will be provided to people who don’t wear a mask.
37. Bolivia has re-elected Luis Arce as its President.
38. Republic of Guinea appointed Alpha Conde as its President for the 3^rd
39. The 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum has been organised virtually on 27 October 2020.
40. Forbes recently published World’s Best Employer 2020 report which is topped by South Korea based Samsung Electronics.
41. The Ookla Speedtest Global Index shows the data as of September 2020.
42. The Indian Tourism Statistics (ITS), 2020, has announced that as many as 53.6 crore domestic tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2019.
43. Stock exchange BSE has signed an agreement with Inventivepreneur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI).
44. World Bank has sanctioned around Rs.3 crore to set up India’s first sand dune parks and interpretation centres in Goa.
45. Mastercard, the payments technology company has partnered with Atlantis which is a Singapore-based financial technology company to boost the expansion of its Digital First Program in India.
46. Indian Bank has collaborated with IIT-Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC) to launch an initiative called ‘IND Spring Board’, for funding start-ups.
47. Tata Communications was announced appointment of Kabir Ahmed Shakir as Chief Financial Officer with effect from October 21.
48. Rohit Sharma has been signed up by India’s leading beauty accessories brand, Vega, for its men’s personal grooming electronics range under the ‘Vega Men’ brand.
49. Former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India, Bimal Julka, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS).
50. The policy think tank NITI Aayog has constituted a 14-member advisory committee to look into introducing reforms in the urban planning education system.
51. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a Market Data Advisory Committee (MDAC).
52. The Brunel Medal for 2020 awarded to the India-assisted Mangdechhu hydroelectric project in Bhutan.
53. UK-based Indian-origin plastic surgeon, Dr Jajini Varghese has been named an ‘Outstanding Young Person of the World 2020’.
54. Seychelles elected Indian-origin Wavel Ramkalawan as its President
55. LG Electronics has named Lewis Hamilton a global ambassador for its home solutions brand, LG Signature.
56. Rajendra Prasad Goyal, Director (Finance), NHPC Limited has been designated as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with effect from October 1, 2020 in place of Mahesh Kumar Mittal, Ex-Director (Finance) & CFO.
57. Parle Agro has roped in Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the national brand ambassador to maximise its reach.
58. Indian diplomat Dr Neena Malhotra, 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, appointed as next Ambassador to the Republic of San Marino.
59. The 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix which is held on 25 October 2020 won by Lewis Hamilton.
60. The BCCI has announced the Indian squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, the team’s first international outing since the COVID-19 lockdown forced the home series against South Africa to be called off mid-way.
61. Ministry of Union Housing and Urban Affairs has recently launched the ‘e-Dharti Geo Portal’.
62. The Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-Hee has passed away at an age of 78.
63. Famous Gujarati film musician, singer and former Parliamentarian Mahesh Kanodia has passed away at an age of 83.
64. Renowned Malayalam playback singer, music director and actor K J Mohammed Babu, has passed away at an age of 80.
65. The renowned Assamese economist, Dr. Jayanta Madhab, has passed away due to heart ailments and diabetes. He was 91.
66. The first woman officer Wing Commander (Retd) Dr Vijayalakshmi Ramanan Passed away due to bad health at the age of 96.
67. In Gujarat, Shri Jashomatinandan Das Ji, president of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, Ahmedabad and Zonal Secretary of ISKCON Gujarat passed away at an age of 72.
68. Veteran Gujarati film star-turned-politician Naresh Kanodia has passed away at an age of 77.

NEWS IN DETAILS

IMPORTANT DAYS AND THEMES

22^nd October is observed as International Stuttering Awareness Day

• International Stuttering Awareness Day is observed annually on October 22.

Objective:

• to raise public awareness of the millions of people who have a speech disorder of stuttering or stammering.

Theme:

• This year’s theme is “Journey of Words – Resilience and Bouncing Back”.

23^rd October is celebrated as International Snow Leopard Day

• Every year 23^rd October is celebrated as International Snow Leopard Day.

Objective:

• to celebrate this endangered cat and raise awareness for its conservation and protection.

History:

• The day commemorates the anniversary of the Bishkek Declaration

24^th October observed as International Day of Diplomats

• Every year 24^th October is observed as the International Day of Diplomats.

Objective:

• to commemorate the contributions made by diplomats in shaping the world since ancient times and in making our planet a better place and to bridge the gap in perception and reality of diplomats’ lives among the general public.

History:

• The first International Day of Diplomats was celebrated in Brasília on 24 October 2017

24^th October observed as World Development Information Day

• Every year 24^th Observed as the United Nations’ World Development Information Day.

Objective:

• to draw attention of world public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them for overall growth and development.

History:

• The World Development Information Day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1972, to coincide with the United Nations Day

24^th October is observed as World Polio Day

• Every year 24^th October is celebrated as the World Polio Day.

Objective:

• to raise awareness for polio vaccination and eradication of polio.

Theme:

• The theme for 2020: “A win against polio is a win for global health.”

History:

• The Day was established by Rotary International to commemorate the birth of Jonas Salk, who led the first team to develop a vaccine against poliomyelitis.

24^th October is celebrated as United Nations Day

• Every year 24 October is celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948.
• The year 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and its founding Charter.

History:

• It was on this day in 1945 that the Charter of the United Nations came into force.

24^th October celebrated as World Development Information Day

• World Development Information Day is celebrated annually on October 24th.

Objective:

• focuses on improving the dissemination of information and mobilizing public opinion, especially among young people.

Theme:

• The theme of World Development Information Day 2020 is “Information and Communications Technologies — New Solutions to Development Challenges”.

27^th October observed World Day for Audiovisual Heritage

• Every year 27^th October is observed as the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage.

Objective:

• to raise awareness of the significance and preservation risks of recorded sound and audiovisual documents.

Theme:

• The theme of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage 2020: “Your Window to the World”.

Vigilance Awareness Week is to be held between October 27, 2020 and November 2, 2020

• The Vigilance Awareness Week is to be held between October 27, 2020 and November 2, 2020.
• The week is celebrated to affirm the commitment towards promotion of probity and integrity in public life through citizen participation.
• This year, the Vigilance Awareness Week is to be held under the theme
• Theme: Satarak Bharat, Samridh Bharat.
• It means Viglant India, Prosperous India.
• On October 27, 2020, PM Modi is to inaugurate National Conference on Vigilance and Anti-Corruption.
• The conference is to be held under the theme: Vigilance Awareness Week

BANKING & FINANCE 

Bank of Baroda ties up with Toyota Kirloskar Motor for auto finance

• State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) announced a tie up with Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) to enable finance options for the automaker’s customers and dealers.
• Following the pact, BoB will be one of the preferred financiers for the entire range of vehicles sold by TKM.

Extra Shots:

Bank of Baroda

• Headquarters: Alkapuri, Vadodara
• Founder: Sayajirao Gaekwad III
• Founded: 20 July 1908, Vadodara

ICICI Bank shuts down operations in Sri Lanka

• ICICI Bank has shut down his operations in Sri Lanka after getting approval from the Sri Lankan monetary authority.
• The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, having considered the request made by ICICI Bank, has granted approval to close down the business operation of the bank in Sri Lanka and cancel the licence issued to it.

Extra Shots:

ICICI Bank

• CEO: Sandeep Bakhshi
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founder: Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India
• Founded: June 1994, Vadodara

HDFC Bank MD & CEO Aditya Puri Retires

• The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of HDFC Bank Aditya Puri, has stepped down.
• Sashidhar Jagdishan has been appointed as the new chief executive and managing director of the HDFC Bank form 27^th
• The 70-year-old Puri had transformed a start-up in a sector dominated by state-owned banks into an industry leader.

Extra Shots:

HDFC Bank

• CEO: Sashidhar Jagdishan
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: August 1994, India

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Income tax return filing deadline for FY20 extended till December 31

• The Ministry of Finance has further extended the deadline for filing income tax returns by individual taxpayers for FY 2019-20 by a month till December 31, 2020.
• Earlier this deadline was November 30, 2020.
• In addition to this, for those taxpayers whose accounts need to be audited, the Income-Tax Return filing deadline has been extended by two months till January 31, 2021.

NATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

24^th October Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three key projects in Gujarat

• 24^th October Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three key projects in Gujarat

The Projects includes:

Kisan Suryodaya Yojna

• The ‘Kisan Suryodaya Yojna’ is an agri scheme which aims to provide power supply during daytime from 5am to 9pm (16 hours) for irrigation purposes to farmers.
• The state government has allocated a budget of Rs 3,500 crores for installing transmission infrastructure under this scheme by 2023.

India’s biggest cardiac hospital in Ahmedabad

• The Paediatric Heart Hospital was inaugurated at U.N Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre at Civil Hospital campus in Ahmedabad and a Mobile Application for tele-cardiology.
• The new facilities have been set up at the cost of Rs 470 crore, and will be India’s biggest hospital for cardiology.

World’s longest temple ropeway project at Girnar in Junagadh

• Girnar hill ropeway at Junagadh is Rs 130 crore project.
• It would attract more tourists and pilgrims to this historical place which will boost employment opportunities.
• The 2,320 metres long ropeway has a capacity of carrying 1,000 passengers every hour.

Culture & Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel launches Life in Miniature project

• The Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism Shri Prahlad Singh Patel launched ‘Life in Miniature’ project via video conferencing on 22 October 2020.
• The project is a collaboration between the National Museum, New Delhi, Ministry of Culture, and the Google Arts and Culture.
• Under the ‘Life in Miniature’ project, various miniature paintings from the National Museum can be viewed online on Google Arts and Culture by people around the world.

India gets Chairmanship of ILO Governing body

• India has assumed the Chairmanship of the Governing Body of International Labour Organization (ILO), after a gap of 35 years.
• The Labour and Employment Secretary, Apurva Chandra, has been elected as the Chairperson of the Governing Body of the ILO for the period October 2020- June 2021.
• Mr Chandra is a 1988 batch Indian Administrative Service officer of Maharashtra Cadre.

Extra Shots:

ILO

• Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland
• Head: Guy Ryder
• Founder: Paris Peace Conference
• Founded: 1919
• Formation: 11 April 1919

RPF launches ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative in Amaravathi Express between Vijayawada-Hubli

• As per the directives of Railway Board, the staff of Railway Protection Force in Vijayawada Division launched ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative in Train No.07225 Amaravathi Express between Vijayawada-Hubli.
• The main motto of this ‘Meri Saheli’ initiative is to provide a safe and secure environment to lady passengers travelling in trains throughout their journey.

Extra Shots:

RPF

• Founded: 27 July 1872
• Jurisdiction: India
• General nature: Federal law enforcement

Dept of Posts releases stamp on 75th anniversary of United Nations

• The Department of Posts released a commemorative postage stamp in the presence of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on the 75th anniversary of the United Nations.
• The Department of Posts has previously released similar such commemorative postage stamps on the UN’s 9th, 40th and 50th Anniversaries in 1954, 1985 and 1995 respectively.

Extra shots:

United Nations

• Secretary general: António Guterres
• Headquarters: New York, New York, United States
• Founded: 24 October 1945, San Francisco, California, United States

National Coaching Camp for Table Tennis approved by Sports Authority of India

• The SAI has consented a national coaching camp for table tennis.
• It will be held from 28 October – 8 December 2020.
• The National Coaching camp has been allowed at an estimated cost of Rs 18 lakh (plus air travel and medical expenses).

Extra Shots:

SAI

• Headquarters location: New Delhi
• Founder: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
• Founded: 1982

Ministry of Defence sets new rules for land transfer to reduce expenditure

• The Ministry of Defence recently approved the land transfer rules.
• Under the new rules the armed forces are allowed to receive infrastructure equivalent in value to the land under their control. The land is to be used for public utilities.
• This will help reduce the defence forces’ expenditure.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Celebrates 59th Raising Day

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) observed its 59th Raising Day on 24 October 2020.
• ITBP is India’s primary border patrol organization with its border with Tibet (China).
• It is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces of India.
• ITBP was formed on 24 October 1962, under the CRPF Act, in the wake of the Sino-Indian War of 1962.

STATE CURRENT AFFAIRS

Integrated Model Agricultural Village Scheme launched by Uttarakhand govt

• The Integrated Model Agricultural Village scheme (Ekikrit Adarsh Krishi Gram Yojana) launched by the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.
• The main aim of this scheme is to strengthen the economy of farmers and also help in doubling their income.
• The initiative has been launched in partnership with National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

• Statehood Day: 9^th November 2000
• Capital: Dehradun
• Governor: Baby Rani maurya
• Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
• National Park: Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

Himachal Pradesh bags top position for implementation of PMGSY

• The Union Ministry of Rural Development has declared the list of tops performing 30 districts in the country for implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
• The Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh has bagged top position in the list for successful implementation of PMGSY programme.
• The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), was launched by the Union government to provide all weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations, having population of more than 250 in the state, as part of a poverty reduction strategy.

Extra Shots:

Himachal Pradesh:

• State formed on: 25 January 1971
• Governor: Bandaru Dattatreya
• Chief Minister: Jai Ram Thakur
• Official language: Hindi
• Literacy Rate: 83.78%

‘YSR BIMA’ insurance scheme launched by Andhra Pradesh for BPL families

• ‘YSR Bima’ scheme is launched by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy with an aim to provide financial assistance through insurance cover to beneficiary in case of death or accident of their families members.
• All families with white ration cards are eligible for YSR Bima scheme.
• Village/ward volunteers will visit the families and enrol the names of the primary householders.
• The scheme will benefit 1.41 crore BPL families of the state.

Asan Conservation Reserve gets first Ramsar site tag from Uttarakhand

• The Asan Conservation Reserve in Uttarakhand has become the first Ramsar site in the state, giving it the status of ‘Wetland of International Importance’.
• The Reserve is located near Dehradun district in Garhwal region of the Himalayan state on the banks of Yamuna river.
• Apart from this, Kabartal Wetland from Bihar is another new site to be recognised by Ramsar.

Extra Shots:

Uttarkhand

• Statehood Day: 9^th November 2000
• Capital: Dehradun
• Governor: Baby Rani maurya
• Chief Minister: Trivendra Singh Rawat
• National Park: Jim Corbett NP, Gangotri NP, Nanda Devi NP, Rajaji NP

Mizoram to observe ‘COVID-19 – No Tolerance Fortnight’ from Oct 26

• In Mizoram, the state government has decided to observe ‘COVID-19 – No Tolerance Fortnight’ beginning from 26th October as a containment measure to flatten the curve of Covid-19 in the state.
• The state government has accorded zero tolerance policy to flouting any COVID-19 containment measures being implemented and enforced.

West Bengal launches campaign to curb electrocution deaths of elephants

• To keep a check on the declining numbers of elephants in the state, the West Bengal government launched marketing campaign to prevent deaths of elephants from electrocution.
• The campaign was launched in areas adjoining elephant habitats in the northern part of the state.

Extra Shots:

West Bengal:

• Capital: Kolkata
• Chief Minister: Mamta Banerjee
• Governor: Jagdeep Dhankhar
• State Formed in: 1947
• Literacy Rate: 76.26%
• National Park: Buxa National Park, Gorumara National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Neora Valley National Park, Sunderban National Park, Jaldapara National Park

Tamil Nadu govt implements Smart Black Board scheme in 80,000 govt schools

• Tamil Nadu government is implementing the Smart Black Board scheme in 80,000 government schools to ensure better teaching environment.
• The Smart Black Board scheme envisages usage of audio-visual teaching material that can be fed into the computer screens in classes using widely available pen drives.

Extra Shots:

Tamilnadu

• Capital: Chennai
• Chief Minister: Edappadi K.Palanisamy
• Governor: Banwarilal Purohit
• Chief Justice of Madras High Court: Vijaya Kamlesh Tahilramani
• National Park: Guindy NP,Gulf of Mannar Marine NP, Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) NP, Mudumalai NP, Mukurthi NP

Air quality in Delhi falls in very poor category

• The air quality in Delhi was recorded in the very poor category.
• According to air quality monitor, SAFAR, the national capital recorded an Air Quality Index of 343 this morning which falls under the very poor category.

UP Govt to establish anti-human trafficking Police Stations in each and every district

• Uttar Pradesh Government has decided to establish anti-human trafficking Police Stations in each and every district in a major step towards the security of women and children.
• These Police Stations will be given enough powers to register the case and investigate the matter independently.
• State government is going to establish 40 new anti-trafficking units which will work like police stations in districts and will conduct investigation after registering the cases.
• The new Police stations are being established after directives from women safety division of Union Government. Union Government has also allocated funds for these units.

Extra Shots:

Uttar Pradesh:

• Statehood Day: January 26, 1950
• Capital: Lucknow
• Chief Minister: Yogi Adityanath
• Governor: Anandiben Patel
• Literacy Rate: 67.68%
• Nation Park: Dudhwa National Park

Nitin Gadkari to lay foundation stones of nine NH projects in Tripura

• Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stones of nine National Highway projects in Tripura.
• The total length of these highways will be 262 kilometres which will provide faster and hassle-free inter-state and international connectivity to Bangladesh.
• These highways will strengthen the tourism sector in the state by providing better connectivity, fast and safe movement of traffic to various tourist, historical and religious places.
• It will also generate large number of employment and provide self-employment opportunities to the unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled manpower of the region.

Extra Shots:

Tripura

• Capital: Agartala
• Chief Minister: Biplab Kumar Deb
• Governor: Ramesh Bais

J&K Celebrates 74th Infantry Day

• Every year, October 27 is celebrated as Infantry Day by the Indian Army in Jammu & Kashmir (known by nickname, Chinar Corps).
• The Chinar Corps celebrated the 74th Infantry Day on October 27, 2020, to honour the supreme sacrifice of the gallant soldiers in fighting the Pakistani invaders, in Jammu and Kashmir, in 1947.

Extra Shots:

Jammu & Kashmir:

• Capitals- Jammu (Winter), Srinagar (Summer)
• Lt Governor- Manoj Sinha
• National Parks: City Forest (Salim Ali) National Park, Dachigam National Park, Hemis National Park, Kishtwar National Park
• Wildlife Sanctuaries: Baltal-Thajwas WLS, Changthang Cold Desert WLS, Gulmarg WLS, Jasrota WLS, Karakoram (Nubra Shyok) WLS etc

INTERNATIONAL CURRENT AFFAIRS

Andorra Joins IMF as its 190th Member

• Andorra has joined the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on 16 October 2020, to become its 190th member.
• Andorra is a microstate situated between France and Spain.

Extra Shots:

IMF

• Managing Director: Kristalina Georgieva
• Chief Economist: Gita Gopinath
• Headquarters: Washington, D.C. U.S
• Main organ: Board of Governors
• Parent organization: United Nations
• Membership: 189 countries

Lebanon re-appointed Saad Hariri as its Prime Minister

• Lebanon re-appointed Saad Hariri as its Prime Minister.
• Hariri received 65 parliamentary votes out of 118, giving him the mandate to form his new government.
• Previously he had served as Prime Minister of Lebanon from 9 November 2009 to 13 June 2011 and then from 18 December 2016 to 21 January 2020.

Extra Shots:

Lebanon (Capital/Currency): Beirut/ Lebanese pound

• Prime Minister: Saad Hariri

Sushil Kumar Singhal appointed as next Ambassador to Solomon Islands

• Sushil Kumar Singhal, a 2000-batch IFS officer, has been concurrently accredited as the next High Commissioner of India to the Solomon Islands.
• He is presently serving as the High Commissioner of India to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

Extra Shots:

Solomon Islands (Capital/Currency): Honiara/Solomon Islands dollar.

Bangladesh govt orders ‘no mask, no service’ policy

• Bangladesh government has decided that no service will be provided to people who don’t wear a mask.
• It decided that all offices must install notice boards saying ‘no mask, no service’ in order to control the spread of COVID 19 virus in the country.
• The cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina decided that no one will be allowed to enter offices without the mask.

Bangladesh (Capital/Currency): Dhaka /Bangladeshi taka

• President: Abdul Hamid

Bolivia re-elected Luis Arce as its President

• Bolivia has re-elected Luis Arce as its President.
• He captured 55.1% of the total votes.
• Arce will take the charge of the office on 8 November 2020.
• The 57-year-old is a member of the political party Movement Toward Socialism.
• He would succeed Jeanine Anez, who is serving as the interim President of Bolivia.

Extra Shots:

Bolivia (Capitals/Currency): La Paz, Sucre/Boliviano

• President: Luis Arce

Republic of Guinea appointed Alpha Conde as its President

• Republic of Guinea appointed Alpha Conde as its President for the 3^rd
• The 82-year-old has been serving as the President of Guinea since December 2010.

Extra Shots:

Guinea (Capital/Currency): Conakry/Guinean franc

• President: Alpha Conde

SUMMITS AND CONFERENCES

6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum virtually

• The 6th BRICS Parliamentary Forum has been organised virtually on 27 October 2020.
• The Chairman of Russian Parliament Vyachaslav Volodin under the chairmanship.
• The Indian Parliamentary Delegation is being led by Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla and also consists of Member of Lok Sabha Kanimozhi Karunanidhi.
• The theme of the Forum is ‘BRICS partnership in the interest of global stability, general safety and innovative growth: Parliamentary dimension’.

Extra Shots:

BRICS

• Founded: June 2006
• Formation: 2009
• Official language: Portuguese, Russian, Hindi, Mandarin, English
• State Leaders: Jair Bolsonaro; Vladimir Putin; Narendra Modi; Xi Jinping; Cyril Ramaphosa
• Founders: China, Brazil, Russia

RANKS AND INDICES

‘World’s Best Employer 2020 published by Forbes’

• Forbes recently published World’s Best Employer 2020 report which is topped by South Korea based Samsung Electronics.
• Amazon, IBM, Microsoft and LG are among the top 5 in the list respectively.
• From India, HCL Technologies is top industry in the list and took 30^th position globally.
• In Banking sector, HDFC Bank is top from India and took 176^th
• State-run power giant NTPC Ltd. has topped the list among Indian PSUs. Globally it is ranked at 261 position.

Extra Shots:

Forbes

• Editor-in-chief: Steve Forbes
• Editor: Randall Lane
• Based in: Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S

Ookla Speedtest Global Index released

• The Ookla Speedtest Global Index shows the data as of September 2020.
• South Korea has topped the list with an average mobile internet speed of 121.00 Mbps.
• India has been ranked 131 out of 138 countries in the global mobile internet speed.
• India’s global rank in fixed broadband speed has slipped from 68 in 2019 to 70 in 2020 out of 175 countries, with average download speeds of 46.47 Mbps.
• Singapore has topped this index with the download speed of 226.60 Mbps.

Indian Tourism Statistics (ITS) 2020 announced

• The Indian Tourism Statistics (ITS), 2020, has announced that as many as 53.6 crore domestic tourists visited Uttar Pradesh in 2019.
• List of states with domestic tourist visits in 2019-Uttar Pradesh – 23.1%, Tamil Nadu – 21.3%, Andhra Pradesh – 10.2% and Karnataka – 9.8%.

AGREEMENTS AND MOU SIGNED

BSE inks MoU with ICCI

• Stock exchange BSE has signed an agreement with Inventivepreneur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ICCI).
• The objective of this agreement is to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, and promote their listing on the exchange.
• Under the agreement, ICCI will offer assistance to BSE in evaluating SMEs and start-ups for listing on BSE SME board.

Extra Shots:

BSE

• Location: Mumbai, India
• Founded: 9 July 1875
• Chairman: Just. Vikramajit Sen
• MD& CEO: Ashishkumar Chauhan

India’s first sand dune parks and interpretation centres set to be developed in Goa

• World Bank has sanctioned around Rs.3 crore to set up India’s first sand dune parks and interpretation centres in Goa.
• The Sand Dune park project will have interpretation centres to educate locals and tourists on the importance of the sand dune ecosystem.
• Park would also have Bridges made of nature friendly material to reduce trampling on sand dune vegetation.

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World Bank

• Headquarters: Washington, D.C., United States
• President: David Malpass
• Parent organization: World Bank Group
• Founded: July 1944

Mastercard partnered with Atlantis

• Mastercard, the payments technology company has partnered with Atlantis which is a Singapore-based financial technology company to boost the expansion of its Digital First Program in India.
• The objective of the partnership users will be able to use their cards/accounts for digital transactions within minutes of application, without the need to wait to receive a physical card.
• The initiative will provide users with a technology solution that will enable them to enjoy a digital banking experience, from online shopping to purchase at physical stores.
• The Digital First program was launched in 2019 by Mastercard in partnership with Apple.

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Mastercard

• CEO: Ajaypal Singh Banga
• Founded: 16 December 1966, United States
• Headquarters: Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States
• Founders: Wells Fargo, Crocker National Bank, First Interstate Bancorp, Bank of California

Indian Bank partners IIT-Madras to launch ‘IND Spring Board’

• Indian Bank has collaborated with IIT-Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC) to launch an initiative called ‘IND Spring Board’, for funding start-ups.
• Under the initiative, IITMIC will refer start-ups with proven technology and established cash flows to the Indian bank.
• Indian Bank will extend loans of up to Rs 50 crore to these start-ups for their working capital requirements or purchase of machinery and equipment, among others.

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Indian Bank

• Headquarters: Chennai
• CEO: Padmaja Chunduru
• Founders: S. Rm. M. Annamalai Chettiar, V. Krishnaswamy Iyer, S. Rm. M. Ramaswami Chettiar

Tata Communications elected Former Microsoft Executive Kabir Ahmed Shakir as CFO

• Tata Communications was announced appointment of Kabir Ahmed Shakir as Chief Financial Officer with effect from October 21.
• Shakir will take charge from Pratibha K Advani who has resigned from the company after a stint of over 5 years.

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Tata Communications

• CEO: Amur Swaminathan Lakshminarayanan
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Parent organization: Tata Group
• Founder: Government of India

Vega ropes in Rohit Sharma as brand ambassador

• Rohit Sharma has been signed up by India’s leading beauty accessories brand, Vega, for its men’s personal grooming electronics range under the ‘Vega Men’ brand.
• Rohit Sharma will feature as the brand ambassador for ‘Vega Men’ range in the upcoming digital campaign.

Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports appoints Bimal Julkaas as its Chairman

• Former Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of India, Bimal Julka, has been appointed as the new Chairman of Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS).
• Julka is an IAS officer of 1979-batch of Madhya Pradesh cadre, who served as CIC until September 2020.
• He will take over from John Loffhagen, who served as the chairman of FIFS for over three years.

RECENT COMMITTEES IN NEWS

NITI Aayog sets up panel headed by Rajiv Kumar

• The policy think tank NITI Aayog has constituted a 14-member advisory committee to look into introducing reforms in the urban planning education system.
• The panel will be headed by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Rajiv Kumar.
• Review the current urban planning education system in India.

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NITI Aayog

• Formed: 1 January 2015
• Objectives: Foster involvement and participation in the economic policy-making process by the State Governments of India
• Jurisdiction: Government of India
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Narendra Modi

SEBI Sets Up Advisory Committee under Madhabi Puri Buch

• The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has constituted a Market Data Advisory Committee (MDAC).
• Under its initiative to make shareable data on the Indian securities market, available for researchers, policy makers, general public alike and to enhance the quality of such data.
• The standing committee would be headed by Madhabi Puri Buch, the whole-time member (WTM) of SEBI.

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SEBI

• Founded: 12 April 1992
• Sector: Securities market
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Chairperson: Ajay Tyagi

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

The Brunel Medal for 2020 awarded to Mangdechhu hydroelectric project in Bhutan

• The Brunel Medal for 2020 awarded to the India-assisted Mangdechhu hydroelectric project in Bhutan.
• The 720-MW Mangdechhu run-of-river power project is built on the Mangdechhu River in Trongsa Dzongkhag district of central Bhutan at a cost of Rs 4,500-crore.

Dr Jajini Varghese honoured with Outstanding Young Person 2020

• UK-based Indian-origin plastic surgeon, Dr Jajini Varghese has been named an ‘Outstanding Young Person of the World 2020’.
• He was awarded for her “incredible” scientific contributions to diagnosing and treating breast cancer.
• Varghese has been recognised in the “Medical Innovation” category for making it her personal mission to attempt to restore the lives of millions of women affected by breast cancer and will be presented with the award at a ceremony at the 2020 Junior Chamber International (JCI) World Congress in Yokohama, Japan.

APPOINTMENTS IN NEWS

Seychelles elected Indian-origin Wavel Ramkalawan as its President

• Seychelles elected Indian-origin Wavel Ramkalawan as its President
• Ramakalwan is a priest of Indian Origin whose grandfather came from Gopalganj, Bihar.

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Seychelles (Capital/Currency): Victoria/ Seychellois rupee

• President: Wavel Ramkalawan

LG signs Lewis Hamilton as ambassador of LG Signature

• LG Electronics has named Lewis Hamilton a global ambassador for its home solutions brand, LG Signature.
• Hamilton will initially star in a new campaign to communicate the brand’s philosophy.

NHPC designates Rajendra Prasad Goyal as CFO

• Rajendra Prasad Goyal, Director (Finance), NHPC Limited has been designated as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with effect from October 1, 2020 in place of Mahesh Kumar Mittal, Ex-Director (Finance) & CFO.

Parle agro ropes in Priyanka Chopra Jonas as brand ambassador

• Parle Agro has roped in Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the national brand ambassador to maximise its reach.
• NTR has been roped in as the brand ambassador for Southern India.

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Parle Agro

• CEO: Schauna Chauhan
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: 1984

Neena Malhotra appointed as Ambassador to Republic of San Marino

• Indian diplomat Dr Neena Malhotra, 1992-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, appointed as next Ambassador to the Republic of San Marino.
• She will have a residence in Rome.
• Presently, she is serving as the Ambassador of India to the Republic of Italy.

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Republic of San Marino (Capital/Currency): San Marino/Euro

SPORTS CURRENT AFFAIRS

Portuguese Grand Prix 2020 won by Lewis Hamilton

• The 2020 Portuguese Grand Prix which is held on 25 October 2020 won by Lewis Hamilton.
• Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes- Finland) came second followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull – Netherlands) at third spot.

BCCI announces Indian squads for upcoming tour of Australia

• The BCCI has announced the Indian squads for the upcoming tour of Australia, the team’s first international outing since the COVID-19 lockdown forced the home series against South Africa to be called off mid-way.
• The Selection Committee met via video-conference today to pick the three squads.
• India is playing three T-20Is, three ODIs and four Test matches against Australia.

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BCCI

• President: Sourav Ganguly (Term ended, still holding the office until further interference by Hon. Supreme court of India)
• Secretary: Jay Shah (Term ended, still holding the office until further interference by Hon. Supreme court of India)
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Founded: December 1928

WEBPORTALS & APPS IN NEWS

Government launches ‘e-Dharti Geo portal’

• Ministry of Union Housing and Urban Affairs has recently launched the ‘e-Dharti Geo Portal’.
• The Portal will integrate legacy drawings such as maps and lease plans in the management information system.
• It will allow the data to become geographic information system (GIS)-enabled.
• The land and development office are currently dealing with around 60,000 commercial, residential, industrial and institutional properties.
• It provides a property certificate and the outline map of the property.

OBITUARY

Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee passes away

• The Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-Hee has passed away at an age of 78.
• He played a major role in transforming Samsung from a small trading business to the world’s largest producer of smartphones and memory chips.

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Samsung Group

• Founder: Lee Byung-chul
• Founded: 1 March 1938, Seoul, South Korea
• Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea

Gujarati Film Musician-Singer, Mahesh Kanodia passes away

• Famous Gujarati film musician, singer and former Parliamentarian Mahesh Kanodia has passed away at an age of 83.
• Kanodia was a three-time Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from the Patan constituency of Gujarat.

Malayalam Singer, Music Composer and actor Zero Babu passes away

• Renowned Malayalam playback singer, music director and actor K J Mohammed Babu, has passed away at an age of 80.
• He was popularly known as ‘Zero’ Babu, ever since he acted the role and performed a song called Open Zero in a play.
• Babu was a recipient of the Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award.

Assam Economist Dr Jayanta Madhab passes away

• The renowned Assamese economist, Dr. Jayanta Madhab, has passed away due to heart ailments and diabetes. He was 91.
• Dr Madhab served as the economic advisor from 2003-2009, to the Government of Assam during the tenure of former Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
• He was also the founder and first Chairman of North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi).

First woman IAF Officer Vijayalakshmi Ramanan (retd) passes away

• The first woman officer Wing Commander (Retd) Dr Vijayalakshmi Ramanan Passed away due to bad health at the age of 96.
• Dr Ramanan was commissioned in the Army Medical Corps on August 22, 1955 and was promoted to the rank of Wing Commander in August 1972.
• She was honoured with the Vishist Seva Medal five years later. She had retired in February, 1979.

ISKCON President Jasomatinandan Das Ji passes away

• In Gujarat, Shri Jashomatinandan Das Ji, president of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, Ahmedabad and Zonal Secretary of ISKCON Gujarat passed away at an age of 72.
• Shri Jashomatinandan Dasji is known for building ISKCON temples in Ahmedabad, Kathwada and several other places in Gujarat.
• He had initiated and completed construction of 40 temples and centers of ISCKON.

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ISKCON

• Founder: A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
• Founded: 13 July 1966, New York, New York, United States
• Headquarters: Mayapur

Gujarati Actor Naresh Kanodia passes away

• Veteran Gujarati film star-turned-politician Naresh Kanodia has passed away at an age of 77.
• He was the younger brother of Gujarati singer Mahesh Kanodia who died on 25 October 2020 in Gandhinagar after prolonged illness.
• Naresh Kanodia worked in over 100 Gujarati films.

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