Persons in News
A) APPOINTMENTS
Jens Stoltenberg Becomes NATO’s Secretary General
Former two-term Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg took up his post as North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General on 1 October. He succeeds Fogh Rasmussen. Stoltenberg was previously Prime Minister of Norway from 2000-2001 and from 2005-2013.
Aamir Khan Appointed As UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador
Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has been appointed as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asian region on 9 October. Aamir Khan will focus on supporting child nutrition to end stunting across the region.
Manohar Lal Khattar Sworn In As New Chief minister Of Haryana
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manohar Lal Khattar was on 26 October sworn in as new Chief Minister of Haryana, where BJP has formed government for the first time on its own. Khattar is also the first Punjabi to become the Chief Minister of the state. Khattar a first time MLA, represents Karnal constituency in the Haryana assembly. He is Haryana’s first non-jat chief minister in 18 years. Khattar is the 10th chief minister of the state, which was created November 1, 1966.
Devendra Fadnavis Sworn In As Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis was sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 31 October 2014. Devendra Fadnavis became the Mayor of Nagpur in 1997 when he was just 27 year old. He thus became the second youngest Mayor in India. He also was the youngest municipal corporator of the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) at the age of 21 in 1992. He has been elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra State, representing Nagpur, since, 1999.
B)RESIGNS
US Secret Service Director Julie Pierson Resigned
Julie Pierson, the director of the US secret service has resigned on 1 October amid mounting criticism of her handling of security breaches at the White House and allegations of misleading public statements.
C)DEATHS
Veteran Journalist M V Kamath Died
Former chairman of Prasar Bharati and veteran Journalist Madhav Vittal Kamath, popularly kmown as MV Kamath, died on 9 October. He was 93. He was awarded Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian journalism in 2004 and he has written over 50 books.
D)VISITORS
President of India Pranab Mukherjee Visited Norway
President of India Pranab Mukherjee visited Norway on 13 – 14 October 2014. During his visit, Pranab Mukherjee held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Erna Solberg. Pranab Mukherjee also met King Harald in Oslo, the capital of Norway. During the visit, India and Norway signed 13 agreements to promote bilateral relations. These include agreement between Defence sector of two countries and an agreement on exemption of visa requirement for holders of diplomatic and official passports. He became the first Indian head of state to visit Norway and first president to cross the Arctic Circle.
E)MISCELLANEOUS
MS Dhoni Ranks 5th On Forbes ‘Most Valuable Athlete Brand List’
India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is the only Indian sportsman to figure on Forbes’ List of the World’s Most Valuable Athlete Brands, a list that has been topped by American basketball player LeBron James and includes golfer Tiger Woods and tennis stars Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Dhoni is ranked fifth with a brand value of USD20 million in 2014, slightly down from USD21 million in 2013. The top 10 Most Valuable Athletes list was released on 9 October 2014.