Current Affairs 29th October 2015

Current Affairs 29th October 2015

Updated : 29-Oct-2015

Current Affairs 29th October 2015 - Important Points
Current Affairs 29th October 2015 - Details
Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated - Games Secretariat of 12th SAF Games
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th October 2015, Games Secretariat of the 12th South Asian Federation (SAF) Games 2016 was inaugrated by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Sarbananda Sonowal at Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex, Polo Ground in Shillong, Meghalaya.

The Secretariat will be responsible to oversee the smooth functioning of the SAF Games.
From 6th February to 16th February 2016, the 12th SAF Games will be held in Guwahati and Shillong.
Which two countries have signed MoU to conserve and publicize written heritage - India & France
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 28th October 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conserve, develop and publicize written heritage at the National Library in Kolkata was inked between India and France.
Bruno Racine, President of the National Library of France and Sreya Guha, Joint Secretary (Library) in the Union Ministry of Culture signed the MoU.
This MoU will demand development of digital co-operation, sharing of technical and other expertise, competency, skill-building and cultural co-operation between the two nations.
IBM and TASK signed MoU to ensure cloud technology in - Telangana colleges
On 28th October 2015, Telangana Academy for Skill and Knowledge (TASK) and US based global technology company IBM inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for furnishing technology platforms and services in cloud computing.

The purpose of the agreement is to make the IBM cloud available to colleges in the state for faculty and students to utilize it for project and practicals work.
Access to the IBM cloud will be given to the faculty and students, which will help them to develop their cloud skills that is desirable in the IT industry.
Who has been appointed as Chairman of CBEC - Najib Shah
Among the important appointments, On 28th October 2015, Senior IRS officer Najib Shah was appointed as Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC), apex body on Indirect Taxes. Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) approved his appointment.
He is a 1979 batch officer of Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise). Earlier to this appointment, since May 2015, he has been working as Member of the CBEC.
Shah had also been the Director General of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Hockey India signed three years partnership with - Sports Authority of India
Among the important National Current Affairs, On 28th October 2015, Hockey India (HI), signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sports Authority of India (SAI) to help reclaim hockey its position as the top sport of India.
Both the organization will work towards creating a abiding legacy for the sport by developing hockey coaching system, talent identification and infrastructure.
Domestic coaches with internationally recognized hockey coaching courses will be provided by SAI to help Hockey India strengthen its coach development program.

Nepal signed MoU with - China
On 28th October 2015, Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) and China National United Oil Corporation (PetroChina) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China to ease fuel crisis in the country by importing all kinds of fuel.
Apart from this, China has decided to donate 1.3 million litres of petrol to Nepal earlier. With this, monopoly of India in supplying fuel to Nepal ended.
Earlier, Nepal used to buy around 1.3 billion dollars of gasoline annualy from the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
191 UNGA-members voted a resolution condemning US embargo on Cuba
Among the important International Current Affairs, On 27th October 2015, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) enormously approved the Resolution condemning an economic embargo imposed by the US on Cuba. It stated that existence of such restrictions undermines multilateralism and credibility of the UN.
Out of 193 member states, 191 countries demonstrated a united and international stand with Cuba and voted in favour of the resolution. The only two countries that voted against the resolution were the United States and Israel.
Although, the Assembly greeted the willingness of US President Barack Obama to work for the lifting of the economic, financial and trade prohibition against Cuba and resumption of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba.
Who has been appointed as Managing Director of BlackBerry India - Narendra Nayak
Among the important appointments, On 27th October 2015, Narendra Nayak was appointed as Managing Director of BlackBerry India operations by replacing Sunil Lalvani.
From now onwards, it will be the responsibility of Nayak to handle BlackBerry’s software and services business in India including distribution partners, direct enterprise customers and network operators.
Earlier, Nayak was working in venture-funded software company Linguanext Technologies. He has also served executive roles at Motorola, Digital Equipment India, CSC and IBM.
Where did the India-Africa Forum Summit 2015 held - New Delhi
From 26th to 29th October 2015, India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) 2015 was held at Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi along with top leaders of 40 African nations attended the summit.
The objective of the summit was to sanction consultations at the highest political level between 54 nations across Indian and African government.
Highlights of the Summit
- 50000 scholarships will be provided to African students by India to avail higher education in our country.
- 10 billion US dollars of credit at concessional rate over 5 years announced by India.
- 600 million US dollars assistance was announced that will include an India-Africa Health Fund of 10 million US dollars and an India-Africa Development Fund of 100 million.